Daijiworld Media Network - Bagalkote (SP)

Bagalkote, Jun 9: "It is but natural for people nursing aspirations of becoming ministers to get disappointed when their hopes are dashed. It is also true that there is discontentment among a few people in the party. None of them will leave the party, and every one of them will be counselled," said former chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to media persons at B N Jalihala village near here on Friday June 8, Siddaramaiah confessed that former minister, M B Patil, had met him and held discussions. However, he dismissed reports which claimed that Patil had shed tears at not being made a minister. "Both myself and chief minister, Kumaraswamy, have pacified M B Patil," he clarified.

When he was questioned about the reverses his party might suffer because of the frustration on the part of M B Patil, who claims support of 22 legislators, Siddaramaiah suddenly seemed to be losing his cool, and wanted to know what kind of reverses the concerned was referring to. He said that there is no question of him visiting Bengaluru to appease disgruntled aspirants, as all the concerned have been talked to and pacified. At the same time, he expressed ignorance about resignation tendered by Satish Jarkiholi to the post of the secretary of All India Congress Committee. Siddaramaiah, whose attention was drawn to the call given by the president of Kurubara Sangha asking Kuruba legislators of the party to walk out of the party, he feigned ignorance about the identity of the said president.

"Operation Lotus has already failed to have any affect. No one will leave our party. BJP has their own problems within to handle," Siddaramaiah stated.