Mangaluru :  Minister for urban development UT Khader was caught unawares when the media sought his reaction to the development that has had political circles in Karnataka abuzz since the news broke around 9am on Monday and was confirmed later around 1pm.

Khader said, “Anand Singh is a good friend. He is a party MLA, who abides by the party discipline and will not resign.” Incidentally, Khader was present at the convention that P B Acharya, Nagaland governor, inaugurated and was chairing review meets regarding Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka scheme before joining the inaugural function mid-way.

When queried on the possibility that few Congress MLAs were ready to abandon ship and side with the BJP, Khader shot back asking ‘where do they have the required number. “We have been hearing about this (MLAs joining BJP) since the Kumaraswamy government came to power and nothing has happened (till now) nor will it happen (in future). HD Kumaraswamy will remain the CM for next five years,” he said.

The coalition government in Karnataka is strong, Khader said, adding, the government will last the full five-year term. The Congress leadership, headed by former CM Siddaramaiah, G Parameshwara and Dinesh Gundu Rao, are on hand to help chief minister HD Kumaraswamy discharge his duties, Khader said, adding, it will continue to do “pro-people work”. The talk of MLAs leaving party and joining another one is but natural in a democratic system, he added.