Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Jan 29: "Excluding former prime minister Devegowda, Siddaramaiah is the best CM the state has seen in the last 20 years," said former minister Basavaraja Rayareddy taunting CM Kumaraswamy indirectly.

Rayareddy spoke to the media and said, "Due to unavoidable circumstances, Congress has given support to JD (S). CM Kumaraswamy has to understand the generosity of our party. It is wrong to give the threat of resignation for silly reasons. It is not right on his part to say to the Congress party to control its MLAs. What is wrong in praising Siddaramaiah? Siddaramiah has sacrified in the formation of the coalition government. Siddaramaiah is the best chief minister the state has seen in last 20 years. Kumaraswamy has to still mature a lot."

"Siddaramaiah is unquestionably the decorated chief minister. Even I wish that he should be the CM of the state again. According to what I have seen, excluding Devegowda, Siddaramiah is the best CM. We have surrendered to JD (S) due to unavoidable circumstances," said Rayareddy defending Siddaramaiah.

Rayareddy further urged, "Central government has given Bharat Ratna award only to RSS and leaders of BJP. Excepting Sachin Tendulkar and Pranab Mukherjee all the other recipients of the awards belong to RSS. Awards are given to only achievers of the upper castes. Prime minister Narendra Modi has made regional discrimination while giving the awards. The time is not over yet. Fourth Bharat Ratna award should be awarded to Sri Shivakumar Swamiji. Modi has praised the Swamiji. However, he has not honoured him. If the prime minister has genuine respect on the Swamiji let him honour him with Bharat Ratna."