Bengaluru: Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah has likened reports of a leadership change in the state to predictions made based on superstitious beliefs and asserted that he would be the CM for the next two years.
Delivering the late Prof A. Laxmisagar endowment lecture on-Whether Superstition hampers Scientific Temper- organised by Karnataka Bar Council, Mr Siddaramaiah shared anecdotes from his life to drive home the point that people should not believe or let themselves be influenced by superstitious activity such as astrology and numerology-based predictions.
As ever, he disclosed a piece of information about his personal life which was not in the public domain so far. "My parents had fixed my wedding at 9.30 am. I said people won't come, so I changed it to 11.30 am. They objected saying it was inauspicious. But I stuck to my plan and we got married at 11.30 am. What happened to us? We are still united and happy," he said.
He cited his recent venture of presenting the budget during raahu kaala and said some had objected to it. "I said I would present it during this phase. This was the best budget I have ever presented." He explained how he had defied superstition attached to the visit to ‘jinxed’ Chamaraj Nagar.
“Everyone said anyone who visits Chamarajanagar will lose power. I visited that district six times. What happened? Nothing. I am still the Chief Minister. These days, reports are appearing in the media that Siddaramaiah will go. It is mere heresay. There’s no truth in it. This is also like a prediction based on some superstition. I will continue to be the Chief Minister for the next two years."
The Chief Minister cleverly made use of the opportunity to take a swipe at his critics saying nobody could challenge him. This statement assumes significance as there was strong speculation of a leadership change in Karnataka. Mr Siddaramaiah is due to complete three years in office on May 13. He said the government would bring a legislation to ban superstitious activities in the state.
