From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 26: Joining issue with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for dubbing him a 'political villain', JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said: "Yes, I am Siddaramaiah’s 'villain' as I can never be his friend.’’

Addressing media persons at the party office in Bengaluru, the former chief minister took Siddaramaiah to task for repeatedly harping on his stay in Taj West End Hotel during his chief ministership.

"I did not spend time in enjoying or frolicking in the Taj West End Hotel. I used to hold discussions regarding developmental works in the State. I have all the records,’’ he said.

The JD(S) leader attacked the Congress party, which had extended 'unconditional support’ to him to become the chief minister to keep the BJP out of power, and said they "did not give the respect due to a chief minister. I was used as a puppet and insulted.’’

Kumaraswamy said the Congress legislators used to hurl their grievances during his chief ministership like throwing cards on his table. "Now, I am being compared to a villain,’’ he said.

The JD(S) leader reiterated his charge that the Congress-JD(S) coalition regime was ‘toppled’ by Siddaramaiah. "There are no two words about it,’’ he said.

He mentioned that he had blamed the BJP on the floor of the Assembly for pulling down the coalition government and alleged that Siddaramaiah was instrumental in BJP’s gameplan.

"Who is Ramesh Jarakiholi? Is there any enemity between him and me? I had told him (Siddaramaiah) to set right the Belagavi politics. He kept quiet with the contention that let the government fall. Siddaramaiah deliberately kept quiet and joined hands with BJP, which resulted in the fall of the government,’’ he said.

Kumaraswamy alleged that Siddaramaiah was responsible for making the two independents as ministers in the coalition government. "I had suggested the name of B C Patil but Siddaramaiah did not agree. Shrimant Patil and R Shankar were sent from the resort by the same Siddaramaiah,’’ he said thanking Siddaramaiah for making him chief minister for 14 months but not allowing to serve the people.

The JD(S) leader warned the Congress leaders that "a time will come when people will start attacking the party for its guarantees’’ and pointed out that Congress party’s only programme in the States going to polls is offering guarantees.