Thank you but CM’s post not vacant!

Hubballi: Responding to reports of his loyalists backing a mid-term election in the state to make him Chief Minister again, coordination committee chairman, Siddaramaiah made it clear on Wednesday that such a question did not arise when there was already a functioning Chief Minister  heading the coalition government in Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters here.  he said  his loyalists were keen on him becoming Chief Minister again only because they admired him, but Chief Minister  H D Kumaraswamy was doing a good job.  "My loyalists are only expressing their views, but how can I become Chief Minister when the post is not vacant?" he asked, refusing to reply to  hypothetical questions about the  outcome of the election results and mid-term polls in the state.

Responding to JD(S) leader, Basavaraj Horatti's comment that the Congress had made a mistake in dropping its party leader, Ramesh Jarkiholi from the state Cabinet, Mr Siddaramaiah advised him not to interfere in the affairs of the party as it had taken the decision on the orders of the high command.

As for the byelections, he said the people would not vote for the BJP as  its leaders were involved in corruption when in power.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters here, forest minister, Satish Jarkiholi too said that the matter of Mr Siddaramaiah becoming Chief Minister was irrelevant  when the state already had a CM. "Siddaramaiah is our leader, there is no doubt about it. But our party leadership and the Chief Minister's position are two different matters. The issue of who should become CM can be discussed only if the post is vacant. But Mr H D Kumaraswamy is already serving as Chief Minister," he said.

Also, dismissing speculation about  the possible collapse of the state government after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll results, he declared it would complete its five year term.