From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, May 23: Responding to criticism over his reported comment that there is no candidate for the prime minister's post from Karnataka, and the presumption that it was directed against AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, who might be considered for the top post if the INDIA bloc wins the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that he never said there was no candidate for the prime ministership from Karnataka.
“There are several capable persons to occupy the PM’s post from the State,” he said while speaking to media persons in Bengaluru on Thursday.
The Chief Minister explained that he had merely said that he was not a candidate for prime ministership from the State and never aspired for the post in response to a question from a reporter recently about his becoming the prime minister.
Siddaramaiah said a section of the media has misquoted his statement and even implied that he was speaking indirectly against Kharge being considered for the top post.
“There are several able and capable persons to don the mantle of prime minister from Karnataka,” he added.