Chikkamagaluru: Siddaramaiah had back-stabbed JD(S). Let him prove himself by winning after fighting the election as an independent candidate,” said JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy.

Speaking during the ‘JD(S) Vikasa Parva’, at the district playground here on Tuesday, he lambasted the Chief Minister for his remark on JD(S). Siddaramaiah has commented that JD(S) exists only to divide the votes of other parties.

“The man who had knocked at the door of Congress after being left with no other option and had won from mere 220 votes is now criticising JD(S). Is he in possession of all the votes of 6.5 crore people of Karnataka ?” Kumaraswamy wanted to know.

“Siddaramaiah has also addressed H D Devegowda in singular recently. He might have forgotten his past. Now, he is dreaming of ending JD(S) which is impossible even if hundreds of Siddaramaiahs try together.”

“The Chief Minister had assured the people of releasing the amount towards farmers’ loan waiver to cooperative banks. But the total amount has not been released. Only Rs 1,932 crore out of Rs 8,165 crore has been released so far. Siddaramaiah has assured people of releasing rest of the amount in June. But, the Congress party will not be existing in June. A new government will be formed by then,” said Kumaraswamy.

“Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that farmers are growing crops for their own profit and not as a social service and therefore the farmers’ loans cannot be waived-off. He must know that we will have to starve if farmers’ do not grow crops.”

“If the JD(S) comes to power, the farmers’ loans will be completely waived-off within 24 hours after coming to power. I have accepted the challenge in the interest of farmers and not to mislead anyone,” Kumaraswamy added.