H. D. Kumaraswamy

I would apologise if I had called him that for the first time. In the days when we were close friends, Kumaraswamy used to address me as Kulla (dwarf) and I would call him Kariya (dark), says Karnataka minister.

I will write to Chief Minister Siddaramaih and Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to convene a meeting where I will present my documents. If KIOCL is at fault, as the minister, I will take responsibility.

The heavy industries minister's remarks assume significance as the second phase of FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme was marred by allegations of some companies availing fiscal incentives by violating the norms.

The illegal mining case pertains to allegations that Kumaraswamy, during his tenure as CM from 2006 to 2008, illegally approved a 550-acre mining lease to Sri Sai Venkateswara Minerals (SSVM) in Bellary district in violation of law.

The heavy industries ministry will focus on improving charging infrastructure and integration with renewable energy to maximise the environmental benefits of e-mobility

The scheme is likely to have incentives for electric buses, three-wheelers and two-wheelers

Kumaraswamy, who is the JD(S) second-in-command, was addressing reporters after a meeting with the BJP leaders when he noticed blood coming out of his nose.

His comments come after reports on June 14 said he questioned the necessity of investments like the $2.5 billion semiconductor unit by US-based Micron Technology in Gujarat, which could receive subsidies amounting to Rs 3.2 crore per job created.

The JD(S) leader said: "All is not well in the Congress government. I don't know when this government will go. An influential minister is desperate to escape from the cases against him."

Speaking about the demand from various communities that the chief minister should be from among them, Kumaraswamy said a chief minister should not belong to any one community but work to improve the lives of all 6.5 crore people of the state.

The former Karnataka Chief Minister's office said the 63-year old leader, who had been touring tirelessly, was suffering from fever and was advised by doctors to rest.

The 63-year-old leader's statement is being seen in some quarters as an indication about his aspiration to play an active role in national politics at a later stage.

The former Chief Minister, in a series of tweets, said the statement by a top leader of RSS, which is the ideological parent-organisation of the ruling party, holds mirror to the present condition in the country.

"Before January 15 next year, when the election will be one year away, we are planning to select candidates for at least 150 assembly constituencies, so that they can start working," Kumaraswamy told reporters at JP Bhavan, the party headquarters.

The former Chief Minister however felt that there has to be a proper coordination between the Centre and the protesters for this to happen.

With no party getting a clear majority in the 2018 assembly polls, Congress-JD(S), which had fought against each other during the election, joined hands to form a government with Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister to keep BJP out of power.

The development has raised some eyebrows in political circles as this is the second such meeting between the two after the BJP came to power last year following the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government headed by Kumaraswamy.

Let Ram's concern for the people, responding to their problems and his large heartedness become an inspiration for today's public representatives, Kumaraswamy said.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday thanked Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa for backing his family regarding his son's wedding, which drew flak for allegedly violating lockdown norms.

In a series of tweets, Kumaraswamy said people are facing difficulty in paying rent as usual and hence the rent rebate scheme should be initiated.