From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 10: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confessed that his entry into politics was because of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader late Prof M D Nanjundaswamy and also recalled his younger days when he was riding a scooter to move around.

Releasing Kannada film director and noted art and culture stalwart T N Sitharam’s autobiography, ‘Nenapina Putagalu’ (pages of memory) in Bengaluru on Sunday, he said he was happy at his friendship with Seetharam for the last 40 years.

“Seetharam is a versatile and creative person with vast experience in different fields of life and had been regularly visiting Lankesh Patrike office along with Seethram,” Siddaramaiah said.

The Chief Minister mentioned that he was deeply impressed by Prof Nanjunadaswamy and his brilliance and intellect. “When I was a law student, Prof Nanjundaswamy was a law college professor. He used to discuss with the students who were interested in politics," he said.

Siddaramaiah said because of Prof Nanjundaswamy, he became a member of Samajwadi Yuva Janasabha. “In 1971, when Virendra Patil was the Chief Minister, I was involved in the movement against the government. Prof Nanjundaswamy is the reason behind my political career," he said.

“While I was working as an office bearer in the Janata Party, the party leaders encouraged me. Later, after winning the election as an independent candidate, I supported Ramakrishna Hegde and served as the chairman of the Kannada Kavalu Samithi. I worked as minister for sericulture in 1984. After winning in 1985 from Janata Dal, I worked as Minister of Animal Husbandry. I had to lose the ministerial position due to unavoidable reasons,” he said recalling his memories of riding on his scooter.

“Seetharam is a multi-talented person involved in politics and art. He was a close friend of Ramakrishna Hegde. If he was active in politics, he would have become an MLA. Nenapina Putagalu is well written and truthful,’’ he added.