Cracks in JD(S)-Congress alliance? Kumaraswamy breaks down in public, says swallowing poison of coalition govt

Indicating that all may not be well in the JD(S)-Congress alliance, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday broke down in public as he complained about pains of leading a coalition government.

Speaking at a public event in Bengaluru on Saturday, "You are standing with bouquets to wish me, as one of your brothers became CM and you all are happy, but I am not. I know the pain of coalition government. 

"I became Vishkanth (one who drinks poison) and swallowed pain of this government," Kumaraswamy said as he wiped his tears. 

#WATCH: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy breaks down at an event in Bengaluru; says 'You are standing with bouquets to wish me, as one of your brother became CM & you all are happy, but I'm not. I know the pain of coalition govt. I became Vishkanth&swallowed pain of this govt' (14.07) pic.twitter.com/cQ8f90KkFT

— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2018

Commenting on this, Kumaraswamy's deputy and Congress leader G Parameshwara said, "How can he say that? He must be definitely happy, CM has to be always happy, if he is happy we all will be happy."

Kumaraswamy, the son of former Prime Minister and JD(S) leader patron HD Deve Gowda, took oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister on 23. The differences between the two alliance partners have come out in public over various issues, from portfolio distribution to budget presentation. 

Last month, the differences paid out in public. A video clip purportedly showing former CM and Congress leader Siddaramaih, who also held Finance portfolio in the previous government, expressing his displeasure over the presentation of the fresh budget had gone viral. Following this, Kumaraswamy said, "Some have suggested that let the budget be presented after the parliament election, so there are issues." 

The Congress had extended support to JD(S) after no party reached the majority mark in Assembly elections in May. While the CM post went to JD(S), Congress got the deputy CM's post and more cabinet berths.