Siddaramaiah can't become CM in next five years, says N Mahesh

Mysuru: Primary and Secondary Education Minister N. Mahesh asserted on Friday that it was impossible for former CM Siddaramaiah to become Chief Minister again in the next five years.  “Let him try after five years,” he told reporters after casting his vote in the urban local body elections in Kollegal. Responding to a question on Mr Siddaramaiah's statement that he would be CM again, Mr  Mahesh demanded, “How can Siddaramaiah become CM now? Mr Kumaraswamy is the CM of the coalition government for the next five years and he will not be changed at any cost. If I have to choose between the two, as a BSP leader and minister in the coalition government, I will support  Mr Kumaraswamy, who has dreams about development. It is not right for anyone to intrude by giving such statements."  

Mr Mahesh contended that the Kumaraswamy government had done good work for the development of the state  in its first 100 days and people could expect more such performance from it with  Mr Kumarswamy at the helm over the next five years.  On allegations that public funds were being misused for the temple visits of the Chief Minister, Mr Mahesh shot back,  "It is his Constitutional right to visit temples. Have previous CMs not visited temples?"