Mysuru: Making it clear that he had no intention of unsettling the present government in the state, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday explained that his comment on becoming Chief Minister again “with the people’s blessing,” was made in reference to the next assembly elections.
Responding to a query by reporters in the city on his statement in Hassan that had created a flurry in political circles, he clarified, “The people there had a few demands. So I told them that we would win the next assembly elections and come back to power and fulfill them. Can I tell them that our party will not come to power?”
When asked when the next election would be, he shot back, “The next election will obviously be held after five years. The term of this government has to be completed, right? How can it happen before then?” And what about him becoming Chief Minister again? Mr Siddaramaiah brushed aside the question, saying, “(It will happen) when the people bless me.”
On Kodagu in-charge minister Sa Ra Mahesh being disappointed by Defence Minister Niramala Seetharaman’s failure to announce a special package for Kodagu, he said, “Obviously it is disappointing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Kerala and announced a special package for it. In fact, he should have announced more money for that state. Ms Seetharaman should have discussed a package for Kodagu with him before visiting it and could have announced it on his behalf. What is the Mysuru -Kodagu MP doing? He should have persuaded the Union government to come out with a package for the district. I demand that it be given”
Responding to a question, he blamed the Centre’s lack of interest in a package for Kodagu on the fact that there was a coalition government in the state. As for his London visit, he said it was just a holiday and he was planning to spend time with a friend there who had been inviting him for many years. “ I am going there with my son Dr S Yatindra, R V Deshpande, K J George, and MLC Govindraj,” he added.
