Date:04/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/04/stories/2006080404750400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Performance is for people to judge'

Staff Reporter

Government working hard to keep its promises, asserts Kumaraswamy

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday said it was up to the people to say whether the performance of his government was satisfactory. He could only say that it was working tirelessly to implement the promises made to the people.

Responding to queries from presspersons on whether he was satisfied with the Government's performance during its six months in office, Mr. Kumaraswamy said, "Satisfaction is not for me. The five crore people of this State should say whether they are happy with my government or not." He was interacting with the press after the swearing in of the new Lok Ayukta, Santosh Hegde, at the Raj Bhavan.

On the "political drama" being enacted in the State, Mr. Kumaraswamy said it was common in politics. He was not bothered about the baseless allegations being levelled against him and his family. His only mission was to deliver the goods as promised when he assumed power, he added.

`Zero'

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh, on the other hand, termed the Government's performance a "big zero."

Speaking to presspersons at the same venue, Mr. Singh said Mr. Kumaraswamy had no right continue in office after the bribery charge was levelled against him by the BJP MLC G. Janardhan Reddy, and he should step down.