Former Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy lashed out at the Congress after the party’s nationwide protest on Monday, recalling how he has been a victim of “horse trading”.
“Congress has launched a nationwide ‘Save Democracy’ campaign against the BJP which is buying MLAs to topple democratically elected governments. But what has the Congress done? Haven’t they lured all BSP MLAs who supported the Congress to form the government in Rajasthan? Is this not a buy-out?’’ he questioned before the media on Tuesday.
He further asked, “Is luring MLAs who supported them through political shenanigans and merging parties a form of democratic behaviour? If you are dividing like-minded party MLAs deceitfully, who would support you? Are these mistakes not visible to you?” “Both parties are ‘criminals’ when it comes to political horse trading,” he stated.
“Haven’t the Congress, which is now making a big noise about the purchase of MLAs, divided the JD(S) in the past? Is it not a fact that for the sake of one Rajya Sabha seat, the Congress government in Karnataka purchased eight JD(S) MLAs? Is this democracy?”
HDK further alleged that during S M Krishna’s reign as chief minister, Congress had practised horse trading, which had resulted in several JDS MLAs switching sides. “Didn’t the Congress conspire to form a government after the 2018 assembly polls by buying our MLAs? Does Congress have the moral courage to answer these questions?’’ he asked regarding the matter.
HDK also claimed that, “In 2004, the Coxngress tried to divide the JD(S), and to avoid the party being hijacked by the Congress, I had to oust the CongressJD(S) coalition government through a political coup.” He proceeded to charge the party for being an “expert” in dividing political parties and purchase of MLAs. “In fact, the term horse trade came to be used in politics because of the Congress,” he said.
Taking a dig at Siddaramaiah, HDK said, “A former CM was saying that he is ready to give up his life to save democracy. Sir, life is precious. Don’t give your life. Instead just remember the path traversed by the Congress. Then you think of strengthening the Anti Defection Act.”
“The anti-defection law is not effective. Because of which such anti-democratic farce is being enacted. It is imperative to make the person and members of his or her family not contest elections at least for two terms besides disqualifying them from holding any office,” HDK added. He concluded by saying, “Let there be debate on this. Let democracy survive.