Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MB)

Mangalore, May 31: State minister Iqbal Ansari, camping in the city to campaign for JD(S) in the assembly by-election from Ullal, is a man much in the news.

A few days ago, while sharing the dais with chief minister at a election meeting, he made many eyebrows to be raised by saying that Kumaraswamy would continue as CM even after October 2007 when he was being expected to hand over the post to the BJP. The CM did not comment but a couple of days later tried to wriggle out saying that he was not sure in what context Ansari made that remark.

When the BJP leaders got jittery over it and tried to clarify the matter, especially with state BJP president Sadananda Gowda fuming over the subject, Ansari came out with another gem saying that Gowda was not in the government, whereas he (Ansari) was and hence knew things better.

Ansari, when quizzed over his recent comments by mediapersons on Wednesday, stuck to his guns and said he stood by his earlier statements. Continuing his commitment to the statement, he said a good number of BJP and Congress MLAs had appreciated the good work achieved by CM Kumaraswamy and that they would like him to continue as chief minister.

When pressed further, Ansari cryptically said, "Wait till October, you will know.". It may be noted here that in October 2007, JD(S), now represented by H D Kumaraswamy, has to pass on the CM's post to the BJP in accordance with the coalition agreement.