HD Kumaraswamy gets emotional at election rally; says he is living to serve the people of Karnataka

Bengaluru: Making an emotional appeal to voters in the party stronghold of Mandya, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said he is living to serve the people of the state, who are his biggest asset. [caption id=“attachment_4755621” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy . PTI[/caption] Hitting out at the BJP for repeated attacks on his government, Kumaraswamy said the power that he enjoys is by the grace of God and support of Congress MLAs and only they have the strength to take it back. “I had to go to the hospital (because of ill health) day before yesterday. I won’t say what was the reason, but the day I betray my people, even though I’m alive, I’m like dead,” he said. Kumaraswamy said he is not here to make money, as he said people were his “asset” and sought their love and affection. “I have said several times in election rallies that I would have died during my Israel visit, but I have come back alive. How long I’m alive is not important for me. By utilising the power given to me by God, I want to serve every family. That’s the only challenge in front of me,” he said. “I’m not in a wretched situation to run this government by making money, by looting public money,” he said at an election rally in Malavalli. Kumaraswamy earlier too had made similar emotional appeals to people ahead of 12 May assembly polls, citing health reasons. Addressing another meeting in Madduru, the chief minister said he wants to serve the state in such a way that he is remembered for his service. Kumaraswamy on Friday extensively campaigned in the JD(S)bastion of Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to bypolls along with two other parliamentary segments and two assembly segments on 3 November. The government and power that he enjoys are because of the grace of God and support of Congress MLAs, Kumaraswamy said and added only they have the strength to take it back. Mandya Lok Sabha constituency that comes under the old Mysuru region is dominated by Vokkaligas, a community considered a strong vote base to JD(S). JD(S)’ ally Congress is supporting the party candidate Shivarame Gowda by not fielding its candidate. As Congress too has considerable vote base in the region, a section of local party leaders and workers are said to have reservation about their leadership’s decision to leave the seat for JD(S).