Kumaraswamy does not rule out continuing in power

The BJP in Karnataka, which is looking forward to assuming the mantle of Chief Minister during October this year, sufferred another jolt with Kumaraswamy not ruling out the possibility of his continuation at the helm for another term of 20 months.

Though Kumaraswamy said he was committed to handing over power to BJP as per the power-sharing understanding arrived at before the JD (S)-BJP coalition came to power in Karnataka during February 2006, the Chief Minister said he would continue in power if he had the blessings of the people.

Kumaraswamy’s statement, which has sent the BJP into a tizzy, came when he was addressing a public gathering after his jinx-breaking visit to Chamarajanagar on Monday.

“I came to Chamarajanagar to prove the jinx about Chief Ministers losing power after the visit wrong. My visit to Chamarajanagar will have nothing to do with my continuation in power or not. I may continue to be the Chief Minister even after the term ends”, he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Kumaraswamy reiterated his commitment to hand over power to BJP as per the agreement. “I never aspired to become the Chief Minister, but circumstances forced me to take over the post. I cannot say if the some unexpected turn of events take place in politics and force me to continue in power”, he said.

The Chief Minister’s statement on continuation in power in front of a mammoth gathering in Chamarajanagar came after local legislator Vatal Nagaraj wondered aloud whether Kumaraswamy’s visit to the town would break the jinx or strengthen it in view of the scheduled transfer of power to the BJP.

Vatal Nagaraj said the jinx surrounding Chamarajanagar is that the man at the helm would lose power within months. “If Kumaraswamy hands over power to BJP as scheduled, will the jinx not be strengthened?”, he said looking at the Chief Minister seated on the dais.

Meanwhile, JD (S) Minister Iqbal Ansari, who had ruled out transfer of power to the BJP in October, fired another missile by claiming that Kumaraswamy enjoyed the support of 30 BJP MLAs.

“Kumaraswamy will continue to be the Chief Minister as there are about 25 to 30 BJP MLAs including Ministers, who are supporting him”, Ansari said. He further added that BJP’s state unit President Sadananda Gowda was aware of the support Kumaraswamy enjoyed from the BJP MLAs.