Upset HDK threatens to quit as K'taka CM

BENGALURU: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Monday threatened to step down as he reacted furiously to questions on Congress lawmakers saying they considered former chief minister Siddaramaiah as their chief minister. The Congress must control its lawmakers as they are "crossing the line", Kumaraswamy thundered.

"If they want to continue with the same thing, I am ready to step down. They are crossing the line," Kumaraswamy told reporters.

"Congress leaders have to watch out for all these issues. Congress leaders must think about all these things and control them. They are crossing the alliance's line. This is not going to affect me but Congress leaders only," the Chief Minister said.

It was Congress legislator ST Somashekar who launched an all-out, public critique of the Chief Minister at a recent event and said there would have been "real development" if Siddaramaiah had got another term. Another Congress leader, minister C Puttarangashetty, said, "Only Siddaramaiah is my chief minister".

Siddaramaiah, a former chief minister who now heads a coalition coordination committee, was also present at the event and seemed to agree as he said he would have completed development work if he had another term.

"You (media) are the people who create trouble. There is no trouble; I will speak to HD Kumaraswamy," Siddaramaiah told reporters.

The Chief Minister may be even less happy at the words of his own deputy, G Parameswara of the Congress. "Siddaramaiah has been the best Chief Minister. He is our Congress Legislature Party leader. For the MLAs, he (Siddaramaiah) is the chief minister. " Parameswara said.

The Congress's Karnataka President, however, called his party leader's comment a self-goal. "Development is taking place. Kumaraswamy is our chief minister. What Somashekar said is not acceptable. He will have to explain or face action," said Dinesh Gundu Rao.