I am indebted to Cong, not to people: HDK

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday, said that he was "indebted" to the Congress, and not to the people of Karnataka. He made it clear that no decision would be taken by his coalition government, without consulting the grand old party.

In an appeal to the farmers of the state not to commit suicides, Kumaraswamy said that he would announce his decision on crop loan waiver within a week's time.

He spoke to reporters after garlanding former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's portrait on his 54th death anniversary, at Vidhana Soudha.

"I am not indebted to the six and a half crore people of the state. I am indebted to the Congress. I appeal to the farmers to give me one week's time. Nobody should commit suicide. In case I fail to waive crop loans, then I will resign as chief minister voluntarily. I don't want anybody pressuring me to resign from my post," he said.

The BJP has given a call for a state-wide bandh on Monday, as Kumaraswamy failed to announce the loan waiver within 24 hours of coming to power. The bandh call is being supported by some farmer organisations.

Attacking both BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa and the farmer organisations, Kumaraswamy said, "I don't want any farmer organisation exerting pressure on me. I know what such organisations have done during the elections. I will not hang on to the seat of power. Yeddyurappa should stop provoking farmers to commit suicides. He must be humane. What if some farmer commits suicide having listened to these provocative statements of politicians? What will become of the orphaned children of such farmers? Who will be responsible for them?"

Key portfolios

Conceding that the Congress was asking for the key Finance portfolio, Kumaraswamy said that there were no differences between the two parties.

"The Congress has asked for the Finance portfolio. Such demands are common during the expansion of the council of ministers. No decision has been arrived upon yet. But this doesn't mean that there are differences of opinion. There are no "fights over portfolios," the CM claimed.

Kumaraswamy, who is slated to travel to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, termed it a courtesy call.

Shiva Rajkumar's visit

Earlier in the day, Sandalwood actor Shiva Rajkumar and his wife Geetha paid a visit to Kumaraswamy at his residence.

Speaking to reporters later, the actor said that he had visited Kumaraswamy to congratulate him on becoming the chief minister.

"I hadn't met him after he became the chief minister. I came to congratulate him. Kumaraswamy and I go way back, given our industry connections. I have known him from his days as a film producer. He has his own vision for the development of Karnataka. I wish him the best in realising all his dreams and aspirations," he added.