Siddaramaiah spoke of becoming CM only if Congress wins next poll: GT Devegowda

Mysuru: While some JD(S) leaders have been targeting Congress leaders of late in the worsening climate between the coalition partners in the state, higher education minister G.T. Devegowda on Monday came out in defence of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying that he had only talked about becoming CM again if the Congress returned to power in the next assembly poll.

“All leaders, including KPCC chief, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Mr Siddaramaiah himself have repeatedly clarified that the coalition government is here to stay for five years with Mr H D Kumarswamy as Chief Minister. Mr Siddaramaiah has only said that if the Congress gets a majority in the next assembly elections will he become Chief Minister. What's wrong with that?” he asked.

The minister, who was responding to a question from reporters here on the statements by different leaders on Mr Siddaramaiah becoming CM again, however, claimed he had not read what his state party chief, A H Vishwanath's had said about the coordination committee chairman.

“I have been too busy to read newspapers, so I am not aware of it. But elected representatives must make statements responsibly. When there is a coalition government, difference of opinion is natural. But when it arises, legislators need to sit with Mr Siddaramaiah who is coordination committee head and Mr H D Kumaraswamy and discuss them,” he said. On Mr Siddaramaiah's tweet that after Mr G T Devegowda and Mr Vishwanath, he didn't know who else would target him, the JD(S) leader contended that neither was the former CM out to get him and nor was he interested in speaking against him.