Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy strongly defended his stay and his functioning out of Bengaluru’s Taj West End Hotel after he was criticised for the same by the BJP. He also lambasted the media for “interfering in his personal decisions.”
The Chief Minister, on the sidelines of his village stay programme in Raichur, said, “Have I presented any expenditure bill to the government? It is a personal issue. Why are there questions about my personal activities? I am not interested in getting a certificate from anyone. I will work according to my conscience.”
Kumaraswamy added that his upcoming trip to the United States will also not be funded by the taxpayers’ money.
"I am travelling to New Jersey to participate in a foundation-laying ceremony of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt. It is not an official tour. I am travelling on my personal expenses,” Kumaraswamy told reporters on Friday.
Kumaraswamy’s response comes after the BJP accused the Karnataka Chief Minister of ‘double standards,’ saying that he spent many days in five-star accommodation and modified some amenities in government schools where he has been staying as part of his ‘village stay’ programme.
Incidentally, the BJP was also criticised by certain sections of the media when the party organised protests against the controversial Jindal land deal and had air coolers under the pandals where the protests were being held.
Previously, Kumaraswamy had come under the scanner for continuing to use his personal luxury vehicles as his official vehicle even though he had asked officials to take austerity measures. The move was criticised by some as the luxury SUV is known to be a fuel guzzler giving a maximum mileage of just 12 kilometres per litre. However, his office has claimed that the car is a preferred choice given the CM’s health condition. They say the vehicle has special shock absorbers to minimise the body strain for the Chief Minister.