Gowda, HDK spoiled my chances of becoming CM

BANGALORE: Opposition Leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah accused (JDS) leaders Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy of snatching away his opportunities of being the chief minister.He said he needed no lessons on morality from the father-son duo.Addressing newsmen here on Sunday, Siddaramaiah, who earlier quit the JD(S) to join the Congress, said, “Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy conspired twice against me and prevented me from becoming the CM.” Stating that he had chances of taking the reigns of the government during 1996 and 2004, Siddaramaiah, who was a deputy chief minister, said on both occasions, his chances were sabotaged by Gowda and his son.Earlier Kumaraswamy had said Siddaramaiah became the deputy CM thanks to Deve Gowda.In response to this statement, Siddaramaiah said, “It is because of our support Deve Gowda became the chief minister of Karnataka, and later the prime minister.” Siddaramaiah lashed out at Kumaraswamy for joining hands with the BJP and becoming the CM in 2007.“Those who have colluded with communal forces with selfish motives are now preaching morality, and there is no need to take lessons from them,” he said.He added that both Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy were shedding crocodile tears as the protectors of the minorities.”People are wise enough to see through their designs,” he said.The Opposition leader said he preferred plain politics and would continue being the same.