The Hindu : Karnataka News : Kumar Bangarappa faults father

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 09, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Kumar Bangarappa faults father

By Our Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA, APRIL 8. The former Minister and Congress candidate for the Sorab Assembly seat, Kumar Bangarappa, has taken exception to his father and the former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa, bringing family matters into the open.

"It is not correct on his part to launch a tirade to cover up his mistakes," Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said.

Addressing presspersons for the first time after he developed differences with his father, on Wednesday, the former Minister declared that he was not responsible for the rift in the family.

"I have not done anything to bring about division in the family. I was not taught by my parents to do anything that is detrimental to the family or society." Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said his father was well within his rights to scold him whenever he committed mistakes, but did not approve of his father speaking in public about family matters.

To a question on how he would take on his father's challenge, Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said he had the courage and tenacity to face it.

"What has stood me in a good stead is my performance as MLA. I will face my father on the strength of my works," he said and added that many of the works taken up by his father while he was MLA and Chief Minister were in the state of neglect and claimed credit for completing them.

Referring to the reported allegation by his father that the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, and the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Kagodu Thimmappa, were responsible for breaking his family, Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said it was not true.

To another question whether he was more loyal to the Congress or his father, Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said his loyalty to the party was firm and that he continued to maintain relations with his family, including Mr. Bangarappa, "whom I still respect.''

Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said he left the Congress and joined the BJP as per the directions of his father. "But I rejoined the Congress not because I was denied the BJP ticket but because I became uncomfortable in the BJP camp," he said.

Asked whether his father was upset over his return to the Congress, Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said: "I do not like to get angry just because my father is angry with me."

Stating that the people of the constituency were not favourable to the BJP, Mr. Kumar Bangarappa said the election results would give a fitting reply to his detractors.

Mr. Thimmappa said it was not the first time that Mr. Bangarappa had made irresponsible and baseless allegations against his opponents.

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