All set to crumble? Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah attacks 'jealous conspirators' amid Cong-JD(S) tension

Minutes after a senior MLA and stronghold from Belagavi, Ramesh Jarkiholi, threatened to resign from the party and join BJP, former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lashed out at those 'who are jealous conspired against him and made him lose'. While addressing a public gathering, Siddaramaiah said:

"Some people who are jealous and didn't want me to become the Chief Minister again conspired against me and made me lose. People who are in favour of the poor will face such problems".

Earlier in the day, as per sources, Ramesh Jarkiholi not only threatened to resign but also claimed the support of 14 other MLAs in the Congress party. This came as a major setback for the parties in the coalition government in the state. Mr Jariholi was dropped from the cabinet, which was expanded by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday with the induction of eight new ministers.

Read: POLITICAL SCOOP: Karnataka Congress Strongman Ramesh Jarkiholi Threatens To Quit Over Cabinet Ouster, Claims 14 MLAs' Support

Triggering yet another controversy for the Congress party, Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy expressed discontent in running the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state. While addressing a public gathering in Bengaluru on Sunday, HD Kumaraswamy compared Karnataka's coalition government to walking on a tightrope, calling it a 'difficult' task to do:

"Running this coalition government is like walking on a tightrope. It's not easy. I cannot force people or try to influence others to match my wavelength. They have their own agendas. But my agenda is nothing personal. I want to develop the state using the power that God has granted me," Kumaraswamy said while addressing the event. 

Along with State Minister Municipal Administration Ramesh Jarkiholi, State Minister for Forest and Environment R Shankar was also removed in the six-month Cabinet reshuffle. As per reports, Ramesh Jarkiholi was alleged of hobnobbing with BJP leaders and had not been attending the Cabinet and Congress party meetings for a long time. During the cabinet reshuffle, he was replaced by his brother Satish Jarkiholi.