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I am at Congress mercy, didn’t get people’s mandate: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said he was at the mercy of the Congress and not the 6.5 crore…

I am at Congress mercy, didn’t get people’s mandate: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy

H.D. Kumaraswamy. (File Photo: IANS)

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday said he was at the mercy of the Congress and not the 6.5 crore people of Karnataka, as his government had not received the full mandate in the assembly elections.

Congress, which has 78 seats in its account, had given its unconditional support to the JD(S) after which the alliance crossed the half-way mark and formed government in the southern state.

Ahead of his Delhi visit to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union ministers, he reiterated that farm loan waiver was his priority as per his promise and he would resign if he failed to fulfill it.

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However, he reminded people that JD(S) did not get an absolute majority, which meant he and his party were rejected by the electorate.

“The people of the state rejected me and our party. I had sought an absolute majority. I have heard the statements of farm leaders too and how much they supported me,” he said

“Mine is not an independent government. I had requested the people to give me a mandate that prevents me from succumbing to any pressure other than you. But today I am at the mercy of the Congress. I am not under the pressure of the 6.5 crore people of the state,” Mr Kumaraswamy said.

Kumaraswamy will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday evening. The meet is being described as a courtesy call.

This will be Kumaraswamy’s first meeting with Modi after becoming Chief Minister of the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government on May 23.

Read More | PM Modi congratulates Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy

“It is customary for the new Chief Minister of any state to call on the Prime Minister, soon after assuming office, in our federal set up,” the Chief Minister told reporters at an event in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Kumaraswamy, who will fly to Delhi on Monday morning, will visit Raj Ghat in the afternoon to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

After meeting Modi, he will call on Union Coal Minister Piyush Goyal to seek adequate coal supplies for the thermal stations in the southern state for power generation.

Asked if he would meet Congress’ central leaders to discuss ministry expansion, Kumaraswamy said it was unlikely as he has to return to Bengaluru by Monday night.

As per the agreement between the alliance partners, the Congress will have 22 Cabinet posts, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, as it has 78 legislators while the JD-S will keep 12, including the Chief Minister, as it has 36 lawmakers in the 222-member Assembly.

The JD-S will finalise its list of members for the Cabinet posts in consultation with its supremo H.D. Deve Gowda.

(with inputs from agencies)

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