Bengaluru, Jan 5 (NationPress) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy delivered a strong critique of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, asserting that his ambition to surpass the record of the longest-serving Chief Minister should not be celebrated but rather “buried.”

Kumaraswamy responded to Siddaramaiah’s declaration of aiming to eclipse former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs' tenure by questioning his qualifications for such a claim. He stated, “What merit does he have for all this? Considering the state’s current situation, his record deserves to be buried instead of celebrated.”

While addressing the media at the JD(S) state office, JP Bhavan in Bengaluru, the Union Minister described Siddaramaiah’s long tenure as a textbook example of poor governance.

Expressing frustration, Kumaraswamy remarked that Siddaramaiah’s administrative legacy should be remembered as a failure.

“Once a beacon of good governance, Karnataka has deteriorated into a case of inefficiency and ineffective administration. The question arises, where is Devaraj Urs, and where are these individuals? Instead of focusing on breaking Urs’ record, Siddaramaiah might end up being the last Chief Minister from the Congress party in this state. The electorate will ensure Congress learns a lesson,”

he asserted.

Kumaraswamy alleged that the last two-and-a-half years of governance would be recorded as one of the most ineffective administrations, with ongoing issues of corruption, murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and honor killings.

“The government seems unable to address these challenges, appearing to focus solely on setting records. Bureaucrats have become mere subordinates. Under this administration, officials are functioning like bonded laborers, devoid of any autonomy,”

Kumaraswamy claimed.

Regarding the state’s law and order, the Union Minister criticized both the Chief Minister and the Home Minister for their irresponsible behavior. He stated that whenever an incident arises, the government tries to divert accountability by forming special investigation teams and making statements, rather than taking decisive actions.

Kumaraswamy also called for strict measures against those responsible for stone-pelting at devotees wearing Om Shakti garlands during a procession in JJ Nagar, Bengaluru. He condemned the attack, stating that such incidents reflect a significant decline in the state's law and order, holding the government accountable.

It is noteworthy that amidst the ongoing leadership discussions within the Congress party, Siddaramaiah is poised to match the record for the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, previously held by D. Devaraj Urs, on Tuesday.

Devaraj Urs served as Chief Minister during two separate terms — from 1972 to 1977 and from 1978 to 1980 — while Siddaramaiah has been in office since May 2023, following a complete term from 2013 to 2018.

Urs maintained a continuous tenure of over seven-and-a-half years, with a total of 7 years and 239 days in office. Siddaramaiah has now equaled that record across his two terms.