Siddaramaiah Dismisses BJP’s ‘Fight for Chair’ Claim

Mangaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday firmly dismissed speculation about a rift within the ruling camp over the Chief Minister’s post, calling such claims a media creation.

“There is no fight at all. This is your creation. I am asking you—where is the fight? Why do you ask?” Siddaramaiah retorted when reporters sought his response to the BJP’s claim that there would be a “Fight for Chair—Part 2” after Makara Sankranti.

Responding to questions on the BJP’s proposed padayatra from Ballari in connection with the recent clashes, the Chief Minister questioned the very need for such a march.

“We undertook a padayatra to Ballari earlier after the then Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde submitted a report on illegal mining in Ballari. When I raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly, the Reddy brothers and BS Yediyurappa threw a challenge, which led to the padayatra. Why should they now take out a padayatra?” he asked.

Siddaramaiah said the removal of a banner related to the inauguration of the Maharshi Valmiki statue had triggered the Ballari incident. He alleged that former minister G Janardhan Reddy and BJP leader B Sriramulu were acting out of jealousy as they had lost their political positions.

On the Hate Speech Bill, the Chief Minister said it was passed unanimously by the Assembly and that the Governor has neither returned it nor rejected it, nor accorded assent so far.

“Whenever the Governor calls us, we will provide a detailed explanation on the matter,” Siddaramaiah said.