Will Kumaraswamy be Karnataka CM only until 2019?
As questions over the longevity of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka lingered, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said no one can 'touch' him at least till the 2019 Lok Sabha polls are over.
"This coalition government will function with stability.
I know, no one can touch me for one year. I will be there at least for one year, until the Lok Sabha election is over.
Until then, no one can do anything to me, he said.
Addressing
an
event
here,
Kumaraswamy
said
he
would
not
remain
silent
during
the
period
that
he
has
got
and
would
focus
on
taking
decisions
for
the
benefit
of
the
state.
The
Chief
Minister
said
he
would
not
waste
his
time
and
immerse
himself
in
work
as
it
was
important
that
the
state
progresses
in
all
spheres.
"So in the opportunity that I have got, rather than going into what others have done, what I have done will be my message. in doing this, theenvironment is also in my favour (with good rains)," he added.
Kumaraswamy's comments come even as his government is facing the birth pangs of coalition politics, following the disquiet among newly elected Congress lawmakers who were left out during the Cabinet expansion.
As the May 12 assembly polls in the state threw up a hung assembly, Congress and JD(S) who had bitterly foughteach other, joined hands to form a post-poll alliance to keep out the BJP, which had emerged as the single largest party.
The Chief Minister also reiterated that he was committed to waiving farm loans and would announce it shortly.
"Dear farmers, Let there be no confusion on farm loan waiver. I am fully committed to the loan waiver. I want to ensure it is done scientifically benefiting maximum number of farmers. I am working on the the modalities and will announce it shortly," Kumaraswamy said in a tweet on his official twitter handle @CMofKarnataka.
Rubbishing reports that questioned his commitment on farm loan waiver, Kumaraswamy while speaking at the event, said he would "not escape" from his commitment.
On May 30, as opposition and farmers' bodies steppedup pressure on him to fulfil his pre-poll promise, he had said that the government would arrive at a decision to implement a two-phase scheme for farm loan waiver within 15 days.
The Chief Minister also hinted that the first budgetof the coalition government is likely to be presented in the first week of July, even as he hit out at detractors who were questioning the need for the full term budget now.
"Probably during July first week we have plans topresent the state budget. A few people are asking why budget has to be presented as this is a coalition government and it has already been presented (by Congress government)."
"Is is not enough to just present supplementary budget, some are advising," he said, adding that "some people are worried that Kumaraswamy will get a name if he presents the budget."
After a strong bargain with the coalition partner Congress, Kumaraswamy has retained the key finance portfolio.