"Do we look like cartoons?" Kumaraswamy unhappy with political satires
What's the story
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is not a fan of political satires. He made his emotion well-known on Sunday when he slammed media houses for "mocking" politicians. He asked who gave media the power to make fun of politicians, and claimed the coalition government is mulling a law to crack down on "irresponsible reporting". Freedom of expression be damned, right?
What happened
Fuming at satirists, Kumaraswamy asked who gave them power
At a book launch on Sunday, Kumaraswamy let his anger out against satirists. He said, "What do you think of politicians? You think that we are so easily available to be mocked? Who has given you powers to present everything sarcastically? Do you think we're jobless? Do we look like cartoon characters to you?" He wondered why media "belittled" politicians in front of masses.
Statement
Do you think government will remain quiet, asked Kumaraswamy
Kumaraswamy did not stop there. He went on to claim that media was not concerned with the plight of the common man, like droughts, but only wanted to focus on "sensational false stories". "Do you think the government will keep quiet? The government is mulling over a law so that there is some control on irresponsible reporting," Kumaraswamy said.
Coalition
Separately, Kumaraswamy said Congress-JD(S) alliance was strong
The Chief Minister also used the stage to speak about the JD(S)-Congress coalition, which is governing Karnataka since May last year. Kumaraswamy claimed there were no cracks in the partnership and it will continue to thrive with "good wishes" of Congress President Rahul Gandhi. He said even if BJP wishes that there will be another election after May 23, his government won't "go easily".
Quote
Kumaraswamy said coalition is surviving because of 6.5 crore people
"We are not surviving because of media but because of 6.5 crore people of the state. I am not scared of them (media) at all. If I see all the episodes of their stories in the electronic media, I will lose sleep," he said.
Details
Earlier, BJP leader claimed Siddaramaiah wants to be CM again
Kumaraswamy's comments on the coalition come days after BJP leader S Dattari said Karnataka was in utter chaos. Dattari had claimed Kumaraswamy's predecessor Siddaramaiah is eyeing the CM post again. "Nobody is concerned about the farmers and the people of the state," he said. Notably, BJP emerged as the single-largest party but couldn't form government in Karnataka as JD(S)-Congress forged a post-poll alliance.