From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 10: Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani, one of the several key contenders for the Chief Minister’s post after the exit of B S Yediyurappa, has clarified that he never spoke of becoming a Chief Minister anywhere.

Nirani, who belongs to the politically powerful Lingayat community just as Yediyurapa and the present Chief Minister Basavarj Bommai, spoke to reporters after exercising his franchise in the Legislative Council polls at Bilagi in Bagalkot district on Friday.

“Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has been ably, efficiently and is quite capable of successfully leading the State,’’ Nirani said.

He said Bommai has been handling his responsibilities very effectively and expressed confidence that BJP will return to power on its own under Bommai’s leadership.

“I was not made a minister for one and half years. Now, the party leadership has entrusted me with ministerial responsibilities. I am quite happy and discharging my duties to my best abilities,’’ Nirani said and made it clear that he need not reply to everybody who speak about him.

Nirani also claimed that he has been trying his best to ensure that the Panchamasali sect among the Veerashaiva Lingayats got its due recognition and facilities from the State Government.

He feigned ignorance about the confluence of Lingayat community pontiffs. ``I don’t know if it exists and nobody has invited me for its meeting. I work for the community and handling my ministerial responsibilities,’’ he said.

Nirani claimed that the ruling BJP will win 15 out of the 25 Council seats and gain majority in the Upper House on its own.

Nirani also asserted that he has no intention of shifting his Bilagi assembly constituency. “I got elected as MLA and minister from this constituency and my political career started from this constituency. I owe my success to the people,’’ he added.