HC Balakrishna criticises HD Kumaraswamy’s remarks on seers, questioning whether Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy rose to power without their blessings
Ramanagara
Ramanagara MLA HC Balakrishna strongly criticised former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy for his recent comments suggesting that seers should avoid political involvement and focus only on protecting religion. Addressing a press conference, Balakrishna said Kumaraswamy must stop making “casual and disrespectful remarks” about revered seers.
He questioned whether Kumaraswamy and his father, former PM HD Deve Gowda, would have reached top positions without the blessings of the very same seers he now comments about. “When Kumaraswamy became Chief Minister, did he do so without the blessings of the seers? Is he now claiming to be some self-proclaimed divine figure?” Balakrishna asked sharply.
Recalling his early political days, Balakrishna said that during the Chennareddy Commission protest years ago, the movement was led by the Chunchanagiri seer, and that struggle eventually helped make Deve Gowda the Chief Minister. “Back then, Kumaraswamy benefitted from the support of seers. Now, how can he belittle them?” he questioned.
Responding to Kumaraswamy’s comments on a so-called “November Revolution,” Balakrishna dismissed the idea, saying no such revolution currently exists. He asserted that leaders are preparing for the political battles ahead in 2028.
Speaking about the ongoing debate over the internal agreement between the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, Balakrishna said there is no need to publicly discuss the details at this stage. “When the time is right, all doubts and curiosity will be addressed,” he assured.
Balakrishna’s remarks have added a new dimension to the political tension between JD(S) leaders and party critics, particularly over the perceived role of religious institutions in Karnataka politics.