Daijiworld Media Network - Hassan (SP)

Hassan, Aug 25: Former Karnataka chief minister (CM), leader of Congress legislature party and chairman of Coordination Committee of the coalition government Siddaramaiah, who had repeatedly stressed on several occasions that the election which went by was the last of his electoral battles, seemed to have changed his mind when he said here on Friday August 24 that he aspires to become the CM of Karnataka again.

Siddaramaiah expressed the confidence that the people will support his wishes and bless him to occupy that seat again.

Speaking at a function held on the occasion of the inaugural of a temple at Holenarasipura town near here, he said that during this year's election, he had thought that he would be the CM again. "But all my opponents joined together to make sure that I do not become CM for the second time. During my five-year rule, I had drawn up schemes for the development of all classes of people. Still, for no reason, the people did not extend support to us. Currently, election is fought on the basis of money and caste, which is dangerous for democratic set up," he observed.

Continuing, Siddaramaiah said that he will never develop cold feet and run away from politics. “Politics is not standing water, it is a field where water continues to flow," he added, without naming anyone.

Siddaramaiah came down heavily on the central government for not extending relief fund for Kodagu, which has been shaken and destroyed by floods. He felt that the Prime Minister should have personally visited Kodagu and declared relief fund. He noted that he has deputed defence minister for the purpose. He opined that the defence minister's statement that relief fund would be released after the report of the assessment committee is received is not right.

To a question, Siddaramaiah dismissed possibility of reorganization of the coordination committee. To a question whether the government has taken off, he replied that it is up to the people to decide.

Kumaraswamy responds

Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said that he came to know from the media about the desire of Siddaramaiah to become CM again. He said that he would be happy if Siddaramaiah's wish comes true.

Minister for water resources, D K Shivakumar, felt that Siddaramaiah would have made the above statement to buoy the party workers, as he said Siddaramaiah never speaks in this way. "All India Congress Committee president, Rahul Gandhi, has promised to continue the coalition government for five years. Therefore, we will to stick to his promise. Kumaraswamy will remain our chief minister for the full five years term. Siddaramaiah and people like me etc may have so many aspirations, but the interests of the party will always remain the foremost," he clarified.