Assembly Speaker’s barb: My government is active, retorts CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: A day after Speaker, Kagodu Thimmappa rapped Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on his knuckles saying his government was no different from the previous BJP government, a visibly upset Mr Siddaramaiah reacted to the criticism saying, “My government is active”. Throughout the day, Mr Siddaramaiah who attended four public functions, avoided the media saying, “No comments,” to the harsh comments made by Mr Thimmappa.

At one juncture, Mr M C Venugopal, head of the OBC Cell of the KPCC had to bear the brunt of the Chief Minister’s temper. Mr Siddaramaiah who otherwise keeps his composure, lost his cool while speaking at a function organised by the KPCC to commemorate the birth anniversaries of Rajiv Gandhi and Devaraj Urs.

When Mr Venugopal repeatedly pointed out that political reservation for backward classes was made in 1996, Mr Siddaramaiah shot back:"What do you (Mr Venugopal) know about the struggles launched by various leaders in the state?

I was heading the cabinet sub-committee in 1994 which implemented the political reservation for backward classes. If you do not know the facts, you should not try to act smart on these issues. By becoming KPCC's backward class committee chairman, you should not think that you know everything. Before opening your mouth next time, read history and memorise facts and figures about backward classes," said the CM.

After getting a dressing down in public, Mr Venugopal quietly left the event venue.