Mysuru: Disqualified legislator A.H. Vishwanath, who helped bring down the Congress-JD(S) coaliton government in July, has raised eyebrows by his recent appreciative comments on former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and JD(S) supremo, H D Deve Gowda. On Tuesday, he took more by surprise by heaping praise on former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for his performance in his first stint as CM in 2006.
Mr Vishwanath, who is contesting the Hunsur byelection on BJP ticket, observed, “Mr Kumaraswamy was the best CM in 2006. But he was not allowed to provide a good administration in the coalition government.
He did such good work in 2006 that people remember it even today. But his second inning was not good as he had to pacify several leaders in the coalition government.”
The former JD(S) leader, went on to claim that he was on good terms with Mr Kumaraswamy. “I talk to Mr Deve Gowda too on the telephone,” he added. His comments come a day after he told an election meeting in Hunsur that he was humiliated by Mr Kumaraswamy and was forced to resign from the JD(S) for the sake of his dignity.
Rubbishing Congress leader, Dr G Parameshwar's claim in Hunsur on Monday, that he and former Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah were like twin ox (jodeththu), he said, “Both have opposite views. Seeing all the humiliation the Congress has heaped on him, Dr Parameshwar should not be out campaigning for it.”
Responding to former minister, Dr H C Mahadevappa's claim that he had a mental disease, he shot back, “I don't have any such disease. I am happy with people. I don't flatter them just like that. I appreciated him too when he did good work as minister.”
