Kumaraswamy thanks people of Karnataka

H D Kumaraswamy is now the former chief minister of Karnataka. Shortly after submitting his papers to the Governor of Karnataka Rameshwar Thakur, he made it a point to meet with the media and thank the people of Karnataka for all the support he got.

The last ditch effort made by him to truck with the Bharatiya Janata Party had failed with the governor recommending dissolution of the House. He told the media that the BJP had shown interest to form the government and set aside all differences, but it was the governor who had to take a final call on the issue.

Kumaraswamy said he had set standards as the chief minister and others taking over this responsibility had to match what he had done.

He said that he had shown that he was a chief minister of the people and others would have to follow in his footsteps.

Kumarasway said that even if there are elections, the people should not vote on the basis of caste, but on performance.

He, however, made it clear that he was not campaigning for his party at the moment.

"All I want to say is that I am thankful for all the support and also the opportunity that has been given to me to run the state," Kumaraswamy said in his closing words.