Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 28: Chief minister Siddaramaiah responded to the accusation of MLA Harish Poonja addressing him as ‘Collection Master’ on his social media page on Saturday October 28 at Mangaluru airport. Siddaramaiah said, “Harish Poonja has become MLA just in the last five years. I have been a MLA in 1983 itself and was minister in 1985. No one has ever called me like this even during that time. He is still a baby in politics. Let Poonja say these words to the earlier BJP government and its chief minister.”

Over Congress MLA Ganiga Ravi allegations that attempts are on to destabilise the Congress government in the state and his colleagues are being offered Rs 50 crore and a minister portfolio, Siddaramaiah said, “I do not know anything about this offer. Ask Ravi. You should ask the same with whosoever has given the statement. I have not got any information. I have information that the BJP is trying hard to destabilize our government. But I do not have information that Rs 50 crore is being offered.”

On the issue of attending dinner at home minister Dr Parameshwar’s residence, Siddaramaiah said, “Parameshwar had called me for dinner. Why you are giving a twist to the incident? He called me, Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi. There is no politics in that matter. All fake propaganda is being made.”

On assigning posts to party MLAs, he said, “In the first phase we will give posts of corporations and boards to certain MLAs. In the second phase, leaders and party workers will be given positions.”

With regards to drought relief from the union government, Siddaramaiah said, “We have asked Rs 7900 crore, but the union government has not given a single rupee. It is showing a step-motherly attitude towards Karnataka.”

Siddaramaiah also said that investigation will be held to verify whether the idol of Lord Parashuram at Karkala Theme park is real or fake.