Mysuru: Dismissing any threat to his government, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was emphatic on Monday that there was no reason for Congress or Janata Dal (S) leaders to quit their parties despite being offered inducements by the BJP.
"I could not be so relaxed if there was," he told reporters at the Karnataka Police Academy, where he received a salute from 287 probationary police sub inspectors (civil) and one DySP probationer.
Asked about Congress leaders holding meetings in Bengaluru, BJP leaders congregating in Delhi and three MLAS going to Mumbai, he said, "Congress leaders are holding organisational meetings and BJP leaders are in Delhi for an executive committee meeting and to plan their strategy for the Lok Sabha poll. The three MLAs, who are in Mumbai, are my friends and are there on a private visit." Mr Kumaraswamy added that the three legislators had informed him before leaving and were in constant touch with him. "They spoke to me this morning as well. I know who the BJP is contacting and what gifts it is offering them, but neither Congress nor JD (S) MLAs have any reason to quit, and they are not going," he emphasised.
Referring to a TV channel claiming there would be President's rule in the state from January 17, he wondered who was responsible for such fake stories. " I don't know what they get out of this, but it is the people who ultimately suffer . The coalition government is running smoothly with proper coordination," he stressed.
On the BJP's potshots at the government over its loan waiver scheme, he retorted, "Loans of eight lakh farmers issued by nationalised banks will be waived by January 31."
As for Mr Modi picking up on his alleged statement that he had been reduced to a clerk in the coalition government, he flatly denied having said any such thing.
