Siddaramaiah is mentally sick, Congress will face consequences: Prasad

Mysuru: Upset at being dropped from the state Cabinet, former minister V Srinivasprasad on Monday lashed out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claiming he was “jealous” of his performance in handling the drought and organising the Mysuru Dasara, and even calling him “mentally sick” at one point.

Lambasting Mr Siddaramaiah for “forgetting he owed him for his backing in the Chamundeshwari byelection” and taking on senior leader, Mallikarjun Kharge for “failing to remind him,” the veteran leader, however refused to divulge what his future plans were. While he did not comment when asked about the likelihood of the BJP making him Governor, he did reveal that Janata Dal (Secular) supremo, H D Devegowda had called him to “sympathise.”

“I will come out with my future decision in a couple of days. Ambareesh has resigned thinking if the CM is ineffective, why should we remain in the party. Others too may think on similar lines,” he warned, adding it was a big mystery why he had been removed from the Cabinet.

“If my ill health was the reason, Siddaramaiah should have told me. Being human it is inevitable to fall sick. Minister Mahadeveppa could not stand for half- an- hour during his son’s wedding, and has a stent in his heart. While I have never been accused of corruption, Mahadevappa’s son is facing corruption charges and he too has been accused of illegal quarrying. Does Siddaramaiah not know this?” he demanded, adding that he had even clarified that he was no threat to his position as he was not in the race to be a Dalit Chief Minister.

“Being so close to me, he should have told me once what he intended to do, but did not. This is what has hurt me,” he said, warning that the Congress party would feel the impact of his removal the next elections.

Mr Srinivasprasad did not spare the KPCC president either, saying he was frustrated at not becoming either deputy Chief Minister or Chief Minister.