KALABURAGI: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah returned a gold medal and memento presented by the leaders of Reddy community, in a bid to avoid being embroiled in yet another controversy. It seems like memories of the criticism that came after he received a high-end Hublot Watch from a ‘friend’ a few months back is still haunting him!
After the customary honoring programme by Gulbarga University, the leaders of Reddy community led by minister for higher education Basavaraj Rayareddy and former minister and Yadgir MLA A B Malakareddy presented the CM a gold medal and memento of a cow, as a mark of gratitude for establishing Shivasharane Hemareddy Mallamma Study Chair at Gulbarga University.
Basavaraj Rayareddy said the gold medal was being presented for the ‘pro-people and development oriented budget’ that was presented in the State Assembly earlier this week.
The CM, while concluding his speech, announced that he would be returning the gold medal and memento as he did not wish to fall victim to another controversy. Siddaramaiah said the opponents made a big hue and cry about receiving the Hublot Watch from one of his friends. "Now I have returned it to the government. I am not interested in creating another controversy by taking the gold medal and memento and that is why I am returning it to the University," he said.
When he was insisted to keep at least the memento, Siddaramaiah retorted saying he had many cows in his house and there was no need to carry it.