Rejecting all the claims of Bhartiya Janta Party that JD(S)–Congress is facing internal rift and would collapse soon, Congress Staunch Leader and Former CM of Karnataka Siddaramaiah on Thursday said the Congress-JD(S) alliance is strong and would contest upcoming Lok Sabha polls together.
SG Siddaramaiah who is also the leader of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition coordination committee also ruled out any differences and issues between him and deputy chief minister G Parameshwara over portfolio allocation to newly inducted ministers.
Post-Karnataka Cabinet Expansion, reportedly dissents within Indian National Congress is growing over the allotments of Cabinet Berths to the lawmakers. Several Congress Legislators have been voicing their view in expressing their reservations over the basis of which the ministerial positions have been assigned.
SG Siddaramaiah hitting back at BJP said, “They (BJP) don’t want to sit in the opposition and work. By using some wrong means, they want to form the government”.
Talking Media in Hubbali, Siddaramaiah said, “Nothing will happen to the Coalition government, the government will not fall. Government will complete its term; there is no problem at all.”
Reacting to reports about the of JD(S) leaders wanted their party should contest the Lok Sabha polls alone, the veteran Congress leader said both the parties had fought the byelections together and the alliance will remain intact for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as well and will contest Lok Sabha Polls 2019.
Expressing confidence that former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, will remain with the party , he said, “He is basically a Congressman, he will stay with us.”
In a recent Cabinet Reshuffle and Expansion, the two ministers have been dropped from the cabinet. The Two Ministers includes Municipal Administration Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and Forest Minister R Shankar. Jarkiholi has been allegedly socializing with BJP leaders and also threatened to leave the party.
However, Ramesh Jarkholi’s brother Satish Jarkiholi has been given a Cabinet Berth in the Karnataka Government in recent Cabinet Reshuffle.
Terming reports about the rift with Parameshwara as “totally false”, he said, “We haven’t spoken at the meeting, as reported.”
According to reports, the meeting between top party leaders on Wednesday to decide on portfolios was not cordial, as Parameshwara expressed displeasure after Siddaramiah asked him to give up some key portfolios.