H D Kumaraswamy takes oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka | Photo: ANI
Janata Dal (Secular)’s H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday took oath in Bengaluru’s Vidhan Soudha as the 24th Chief Minister of Karnataka, while Congress’ G Parameshwara took oath as Deputy Chief Minister, administered by Governor Vajubhai Bala.
Several prominent Opposition leaders and chief ministers attended the ceremony and used it as a “show of strength” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, among others, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Meanwhile, BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday said that “hunger, greed and power” were the basis of the JD(S)-Congress alliance, adding that such an alliance would “not even last three months”.
Ahead of taking the oath, Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said he would be under certain limitations in a coalition government and would take consent of the Congress, adding he would waive farm loan once he improves the state’s economic condition.
“They (Congress) too have their own programmes in their manifesto. We have to compile the manifesto of two parties and after improving the economy of the state, we will waive farm loans. There is no question of my backtracking,” said Kumaraswamy after he visited Chamunda Hill to worship revered Goddess Chamundeshwari in Mysuru.
The Janata Dal (Secular) leader also appealed to the farmers to not take any drastic steps and to keep faith in him.
“I want to tell the people of the state not to give in to any fear. Give up your obsession for caste. I don’t belong to one community but the 6.5 crore population of the state and I am only a public servant,” Kumaraswamy added.
(Agencies)
