Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy met Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Thursday amid instability threats to the JDS-Congress coalition. However, the Chief Minister has assured that his government was running smoothly.
"Today I completed 100 days in CM office so I am here to pay my regards to the Congress President. Rahul Ji is happy with the way Karnataka govt is running," ANI quoted Kumaraswamy as saying after his meeting with the Congress boss.
The meeting comes days after former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's remarks over wanting to become the Chief Minister. Responding to Siddaramaiah's statement, Kumaraswamy said that there was nothing wrong with the statement. He said that it was perfectly fine if a political leader wishes to become the Chief Minister of a state. Kumaraswamy also informed the media that Siddaramaiah has clarified that he will become the Chief Minister after the next elections.
Kumaraswamy also said that even senior leader RV Deshpande wants to become the Chief Minister. He also informed that the state cabinet will be expanded soon.
The Chief Minister said that the state has registered a record revenue collection under his regime and his government was working towards fulfilling the expectations of the people of Karnataka.
Kumaraswamy is also scheduled to meet President Ramnath Kovind later in the day to talk about the Debt Relief ordinance that the Karnataka government has proposed.
Kumaraswamy has been targetted for his temple-run spree ever since he took to power. Reports had suggested that the Chief Minister has visited more than 50 temples during his first 100 days in the office, an average of a temple visit every two days.
His visits to around 47 temples, a dargah, a church and a mosque have invited serious criticism from all sections of the society. Kumaraswamy's temple-run had begun as soon as he was appointed as the Chief Minister of the state.
Responding to critics, Kumaraswamy had said that he was visiting temples across the state only to seek blessings for the farmers of the state and to pray for the well-being of the coalition government in the state.
