Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 28: The statement made by a Congress MLA has given rise to cracks in the alliance between the Congress and JD(S) in the state. Objecting to statement made by Bengaluru Development Authority chairman and Congress MLA, S T Somashekhar, that for him and several others in the party, Siddaramaiah continues to be the chief minister, Kumaraswamy said he is ready to quit.

Speaking to media persons in the city on Monday January 28, Kumaraswamy felt that reaction for Somashekhar's statement should come from the Congress and not him. He said that Congress leadership has been monitoring all the developments. He expressed the opinion that if such things continue in coalition, he is prepared to resign from his post.

"Congress leaders have been crossing the limits of understanding between coalition partners. Our patience too has a limit. If this behaviour continues, I am ready to leave," he clarified, thus sending warning signals to Congress leadership.

Even as Somashekhar's statement has all the makings of creating a political storm, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, took the initiative to cool the situation. He said that Somashekhar's statement does not behoove his stature. "He should not have issued such a statement. I will serve notice on the MLA," he stated.

During the inaugural of Kanaka community hall built by Kurubara Sangha in the city on Sunday, chief guests, Puttaranga Shetty, M T B Nagaraj, and MLA, S T Somashekhar, who participated as chief guests, had addressed the people. Somashekhar had praised his political mentor and former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, and expressed the view that he should be the chief minister of the state.