MYSURU: JD(S)-Congress Coalition Co-ordination Committee Chairman and former chief minister Siddaramaiah said all bhagyas launched by his government will continue during the current regime.
He said the co-ordination committee which will meet on Thursday will take a call on key issues and see that the schemes launched for the welfare of the downtrodden, dalits, students, farmers and women will continue. At an interaction with the media during his maiden visit to the city after he lost the election in Chamundeshwari constituency, Siddaramaiah refused to spell out the reasons for the defeat.
Was the defeat in Chamundeshwari a shock to you?
It was not shocking to me. It might be a shock to the media. I have accepted the people’s mandate. It is a closed chapter. I will not go into the details.
Will you hold a meet to thank the people of Chamundeshwari who supported you?
I have not yet thought of it. I had been to Badami to thank the people for supporting me in the polls. I am happy with my visit to villages and meet municipal councillors. But, people of Chamundeshwari did not stand by me. So, I don’t want to further discuss it.
Have you held a meeting with MLAs unhappy over not being inducted into the state cabinet?
There is no dissidence nor are MLAs unhappy. I had a talk with everybody. I have held talks with M B Patil, B C Patil, Sudhakar, Eshwar Khandre, Sangamesh , M T B Nagaraj and others. If you suggest, I am ready to speak to others. It is on record and also a fact that (state BJP president) B S Yeddyurappa called B C Patil and others over the phone and offered power and money if they joined hands with the BJP. I am confident that our MLAs will not go even if the BJP continues to offer positions.
Yeddyurappa claims many Congress MLAs are in touch him to join the BJP?
Not much importance must be given to Yeddyurappa’s words as he lives in an illusion. I am confident that no MLAs will cross sides and BJP will not be successful. This government will complete its five-year term and the people’s mandate is for a full term.
Kumaraswamy has said he was not interested in accepting the chief ministerial post.
No comments. I have not held talks with Kumaraswamy in this regard. I am not a part of it.
Why is that the BJP is soft on you and has showered praises on you?
The people of the state have love for me and not only to Yeddyurappa. Anyhow I am thankful to BJP too.
Will you still stand by your words on retiring from electoral politics?
Yes, I have made it clear that I will not contest any elections in the future and will stand by my earlier statement.
I will be in active politics to protect my followers. It is a media creation that I will contest Lok Sabha polls.