While Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai confirmed the audio is authentic, he said the words spoken were taken out of context.
Bengaluru: “We are not running the government, we are just managing it,” Karnataka Law Minister J C Madhuswamy was heard in a leaked audio, causing embarrassment to the BJP government in the state on Tuesday.
While Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai confirmed the audio is authentic, he said the words spoken were taken out of context. This comes amid speculations that Bommai may be replaced mid-term amid growing dissatisfaction.
However, senior leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has said Bommai will continue as the Chief Minister. “Everything is good, there’s no trouble,” the CM said on Tuesday, adding, “I will speak to all concerned and settle the issues.” Bommai added that Madhuswamy’s comments were made “in the context of the bank demanding interest”.
However, a minister in the Bommai cabinet, Munirathna said, “If he thinks we are managing, he should step down immediately as the Law Minister of Karnataka. He too is a part of the government and a part of every cabinet meeting. If he has made that statement, that means he is also party to it. Being in a ministerial position, it is irresponsible of him to make such a statement.”
For the last few months, Bommai’s critics have been alleging that he has lost grip over the state. Last month, a communal violence had broken out in which a BJP worker had died.
Accused of not doing enough to punish the guilty, Bommai had said that the Yogi model of tough administrative practices could be introduced to handle communal violence in the state.