The legislative Assembly on Mondaywitnessed a lively debate on the ambitions of Opposition leader Siddaramaiahand Agriculture Minister Umesh Katti to become chief minister.
“I want tobecome the chief minister. I am not a hypocrite. But I know that inthe Congress, the High Command decides on the CM candidate. If they makeme CM good. Otherwise, no problem,” Siddaramaiah said during his speechon the Governor’s address to the joint session.
Katti also did not hidehis ambition. He went one step ahead and announced that his son too wouldbecome the CM one day. It all started with Siddaramaiah highlighting theinfighting in the BJP and accusing the government of being reduced to aminority after the resignation of a few BJP MLAs. Many more MLAs want tojoin the KJP led by BS Yeddyurappa,”he said.
Deputy Chief Minister KSEshwarappa took objection and said: “No more MLAs will go to the KJP. Youare trying to create confusion. You yourself have switched to theCongress from the JD(S). Nobody knows how long you will be in theCongress. Can you make a commitment on your association with the Congress?”
Siddaramaiah said that he was expelled from the JD(S) by Deve Gowda. “Iwas compelled to join the Congress. Had I not been expelled, I would havecontinued in the Janata Parivar. As long as I am in politics, I willremain in the Congress. Anyway, I will retire after five years as I willturn 70. I am not as healthy as Bachche Gowda (Labour Minister),” headded. Bachche Gowda retorted that Siddaramaiah is too eager to becomethe CM and hence is tense. “As I have no such ambition, I am healthy,” headded. Siddaramaiah said that in 1996, he had the support of a majorityof MLAs. “But I couldn’t become the CM. In 2005, Deve Gowda told menot to attend the AHINDA rally. He threatened to expel me. I didnot care and I lost the DyCM post. So I am not worried about power,” hesaid. However, Katti said that Siddaramaiah did not become CM in 1996 ashis name was proposed by Gowda. Puttaraju alleged that Katti wants tomake his son the CM by dividing the state.
“Yes. But there is acorrection. I want to become the CM of Karnataka first and see my son asthe CM of north Karnataka state,” said Katti. Siddaramaiah predicted thatKatti’s future looks grim as he would be going to the KJP. “Why are yourepeatedly saying that Katti will go to the KJP. I know CM Ibrahim metYeddyurappa on your behalf,” Eshwarappa said. Siddaramaiah, however saidthat he had not given power of attorney to Ibrahim. “We are bothdifferent. I will never allow Ibrahim to take decisions on my behalf,” hesaid putting an end to the debate.