Bengaluru: In the ongoing political drama unfurling in the Karnataka state Legislative Assembly, a miffed Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy spoke his mind on the issue of the vote of confidence.

In his address to the House, the CM claimed that he was being dragged into every row and that repeated attempts are being made to “dethrone” him. “I have been dragged into every row for the past two weeks. There are repeated attempts to dethrone me,” he said. He also stated that although he wasn’t interested in official positions, it was the Congress that urged him to become the Chief Minister.

While addressing the House for a second time, he alleged that legislators were offered anywhere from Rs 40-50 crore. “Whose money is it,” he asked in a jibe at the BJP.

Then addressing the BJP directly, he said, “Let’s have a discussion. You can still form the government. There is no urgency. You can do it on Monday or Tuesday also. I am not going to misuse the power.”

The CM added that the issue of the trust vote needs to be discussed and it cannot be completed by 1.30 PM today, as directed by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala. “Let everyone speak and discuss the issue first,” he said.

Meanwhile, 20 MLAs continue to remain absent from the Assembly session.

The House continues to discuss the trust vote and the Governor’s direction to the Speaker to conduct the trust vote at the earliest.