Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Jan 28: Claim being made by several Congress ministers and legislators that they still treat Siddaramaiah as the chief minister, has given rise to political debates.
Several ministers and MLAs who took part in the inaugural of the new Kanaka community hall built by Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Sangha heaped lavish praises on Siddaramaiah and indirectly expressed their earnest desire to see Siddaramaiah in CM's chair. Ishwaranandapuri Swamiji of Kanaka Gurupeeta, Kaginele Mahasamsthana, speaking at the said function, expressed his wish to see Siddaramaiah becoming CM again.
Some of the Congress leaders who always make it a point to praise Siddaramaiah at every conceivable opportunity, indirectly poked barbs at JD(S) without mentioning the names of the leaders of that party. They also tried to tell JD(S) where it stands, by saying that Siddaramaiah's words as the chairman of the coordination committee cannot be overlooked by anyone.
Minister, Puttaranga Shetty, in his address, said that as far as he and several other Congressmen are concerned, Siddaramaiah continues to be the chief minister and that for addressing all their problems, they always approach him for a solution. "I was elected thrice as MLA. Siddaramaiah has been instrumental in my success. In spite of what others might or might not say, for us, the backward classes, Siddarmaiah continues to be the chief minister," he announced.
Minister, M T B Nagaraj, comparing his loyalty to Siddramaiah with the one shared by Hanumantha towards Lord Rama, said that if someone rips open his chest like Hanumantha did, just like the image of Lord Rama that was revealed, Siddaramaiah's image will emerge from his chest because of his unshaken devotion for him. "I had decided to either become a minister or retire from politics. Just like the god comes to know what goes on in the minds of his devotees, perhaps Siddarmaiah knew what I was thinking. He saw to it that I became a minster. My dream has been realized. Henceforth I will not fight election," he announced.
Bengaluru Development Authority chairman and MLA, S T Somashekhar, said that some only provide their sons and daughters-law with an opportunity in politics. But Siddaramaiah has provided opportunities to people from all communities in politics, he said, in an indirect taunt at JD(S) leader, H D Deve Gowda. Spiritual head of Kanaka Gurupeeta, Kaginele Mahasamsthan, Hosadurga, Ishwaranandapuri Swamiji, said that Siddaramaiah has come as the messiah of backward classes after a long gap after former chief minister, D Devaraj Urs, ruled the state. He said that Siddarmaiah has come as a beacon of hope for these communities that have become victims of neglect.
"Cows do not consume their own milk. Likewise, Siddaramaiah always works to help others. Therefore, he should become chief minister again," he demanded.