by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore

Mysore, Jan 30: Terming the political coup by JD(S) State Working President H.D. Kumaraswamy and the 'backing' from his father JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda as the greatest political drama ever scripted in the country, the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddharamaiah ridiculed that Deve Gowda deserves Dada Saheb Phalke award for this drama.

Speaking to media persons after releasing the Year Planner brought but by the Mysore Reporters' Guild at Pathrakarthara Bhavan here yesterday, Siddharamaiah accused Deve Gowda of practicing double standards while speaking against any move to let BJP come to power on the one hand and backing his son's moves on the other.

"This is a classic drama scripted by him with sheer ambition of elevating his son to the post of Chief Minister and he deserves Dada Saheb Phalke award," he said and criticised the former Prime Minister as being responsible for the fall of many Chief Ministers earlier also.

"He (Deve Gowda) thinks he is a great strategist, but his actions have nothing but acts in fooling the people time and again," he said adding that Deve Gowda's word is final in JD(S) and without his nod even a grass cannot move.

Siddharamaiah continued his tirade against Deve Gowda, questioning why the latter praised his son for all the steps taken and on the other hand kept the Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh in the dark saying there was no threat to the coalition Government.

Siddharamaiah also accused Deve Gowda of throwing all the ethics and democratic values to the winds with excess love for his son. "He sacrificed the party for his personal wish to see his son as the CM of Karnataka," he criticised and said that even after Kumaraswamy becomes the Chief Minister, the State affairs will be controlled by Deve gowda who sits on the pillion.

 H D Kumaraswamy Camp May be Disqualified if Someone Moves Court

 The former Deputy Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, taking objection to the Speaker recognising H.D. Kumaraswamy as the leader of JD(S) Legislature, said all the JD(S) MLAs associated with the CM-designate H.D. Kumara-swamy will be disqualified if someone challenges the Speaker's decision in the court of law.

Speaking at a press meet at Pathrakarthara Bhavan, organised by Mysore Reporter's Guild here yesterday, Siddharamaiah described Kumaraswamy group as a break-away group as it did not enjoy two-third majority in the Legislature party. They have only 36 MLAs.

'They only separated and if they are not merged with any other party with two thirds majority, they will be disqualified and should resign from the Assembly membership,' he said.

He, however, evaded questions whether he himself would challenge the Speaker's decision in the Court. 'Somebody will move the Court,' was all he said.

'As per the law, only the leader of the Legislature party has the right to convene a meeting of Legislature party and the break-away group is still in Gowda camp. Kumaraswamy's group does not have the authority to issue Whip to us, as his recognition as JDLP leader by the Speaker is illegal, he said.

Siddharamaiah said thrust will be given to strengthen the ABPJD and AHINDA into forces to reckon with.