No ‘Ambi’valence, I’m the CM: Siddaramaiah

Speaking to media persons here, he said objections raised by Mr. Ambareesh on grounds that he was neither consulted nor was his supporter appointed as head of a state-owned board were unwarranted.

“Some decisions cannot be taken by asking each and everyone. I can use my discretionary power to take certain decisions. There are many senior leaders in Congress on par with Mr. Ambareesh. He is not the only leader,” he added.

Miffed that his supporters were not accommodated in the list drawn up by Mr. Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief Dr. G. Parameshwar, Mr. Ambareesh skipped a meeting of the cabinet in Kalaburagi last Friday but also lambasted them saying he was senior to the Chief Minister as he joined the Congress in 1994, had served in the Union government, and was elected Member of Parliament a couple of times.

He, however, stated that his absence at Kalaburagi was not intentional and that he chose to stay back in Bengaluru to play host to top film actors who arrived from across the country to participate in unveiling of the late thespian Dr. Rajkumar’s memorial. Mr. Siddaramaiah also declared that confusion over appointment of chairpersons was a closed chapter.

When asked whether he would expand or reshuffle his cabinet, he said it would be expanded after the winter session of legislature in Belagavi.

Describing protests by BJP leaders against his government as political, he said the government had launched several pro-farmer schemes and would be ready to face agitations during the legislature session in Belagavi. “We too are activists, and protest is not the asset of the BJP”, he added.

When asked about the death of a 14 year-old girl under mysterious circumstances in Tirthahalli last month, the Chief Minister said officers of CID would submit their report this week on the cause of her death. “It is unfair to politicize her death and to speculate about it,” he added.