Mysuru: JD(S) leaders on Thursday strongly objected to minister HC Balakrishna’s allegations against Union minister HD Kumaraswamy, calling him a “blackmailer”, “backstabber” and “black magician”.Speaking to reporters, former minister SR Mahesh and JD(S) district president and former MLA Ashwin Kumar termed Balakrishna’s allegations baseless and irresponsible. Mahesh alleged that Balakrishna was unable to respond to the allegations made by Kumaraswamy and was resorting to personal remarks instead.“We too worked with you during elections. When you were in the JD(S), did you not know about the alleged blackmail by Kumaraswamy?” Mahesh asked.Mahesh said Congress leaders were responsible for the BJP coming to power in the country.Questioning whether Kumaraswamy was wrong in highlighting the state govt’s failures, Mahesh said senior officials had written to the chief minister warning about the deteriorating financial condition of the state.He urged chief minister DK Shivakumar to stop political mudslinging and focus on improving the state’s financial situation.Referring to the Bidadi township project, Mahesh said it was initiated during Kumaraswamy’s tenure. However, there was neither cultivable land nor a lift irrigation system at the time.“That was why Kumaraswamy initiated the Bidadi township project. But the situation has completely changed now. Hence, the JD(S) is opposing the Bidadi township,” he said.Mahesh said Kumaraswamy would return to state politics by the next Assembly elections, adding that the party wanted him to return even earlier. He said NDA leaders would decide who should become chief minister.
