Siddaramaiah was planning to seek BJP’s help to become CM: Deve Gowda

DHNS

May 3, 2018

Bengaluru, May 3: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was willing to knock on the BJP’s door to become chief minister in 2004, his former mentor and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda said on Wednesday.

“Let me be very frank. In 2004, Siddaramaiah was ready to take the help of the BJP to become the chief minister. I did not agree. All our 58 MLAs met at a resort and we decided against it,” Gowda said. Siddaramaiah was then with the JD(S). The revelation came during the former prime minister’s interaction with reporters in Bengaluru.

The remarks come amid escalating tension between Siddaramaiah and Gowda, with the former repeatedly attacking the latter in public. “Neither Mallikarjuna Kharge nor B S Yeddyurappa speak of me lightly, but Siddaramaiah does,” he rued.

He added that Siddaramaiah was smarter than Yeddyurappa. “Yeddyurappa went to jail, whereas Siddaramaiah created the Anti Corruption Bureau where he takes decisions.” Further, he joked that the BJP and Congress were like brothers. “Reddy brothers are back in the BJP, while the Congress inducted Ashok Kheny.”

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi showering respect on him, adding fuel to the speculation that the BJP was cosying up to the JD(S) ahead of the May 12 polls, Gowda said there was nothing more than what meets the eye.

“Modi understands the background of every state he visits. Congress president Rahul Gandhi asked me to come clean while making a speech in my native district. Siddaramaiah got my portrait removed from Vidhana Soudha. They don’t know how to respect a Kannadiga who became PM, but Modi showed respect to the chair I once held. There’s nothing else to it,” he said. Gowda complained, however, that Modi had failed to address the Mahadayi river water sharing dispute during his visits to Karnataka. Gowda said he was not bothered about surveys predicting a hung Assembly. “The JD(S) now has the support of Mayawati, Asaduddin Owaisi, N Chandrababu Naidu, K Chandrasekhar Rao among others. Kumaraswamy is getting massive support wherever he is going.”

The result of this election holds the answer to the question whether or not a regional party is necessary. “I have suffered much pain to keep this party alive. I’m fighting two national parties,” he said.

Comments

Father and son no less than a snake. Beware you will meet the same as Nitish ******

Very surprising, at this age he remembers so much, does he remember who was his political mentor since early 60ies to middle of 70ies? I know him since those days, when he use to visit his mentor. His mentor was speaking for him in election rallies while HDDG was taking a nap on the stage. His political career is finished,yet he don't want to retire. He want his sons and the grandsons to rule in Karnataka.

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Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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