The very fact that H.D. Devegowda became Chief Minister of Karnataka was a problem in itself, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah said.
Reacting to a statement made by former Prime MinisterH.D. Devegowda at the helipad here on Thursday, that “he (Devegowda) made a mistake by making Siddaramaiah Deputy Chief Minister”, Mr. Siddaramaiah retorted that Devegowda becoming Chief Minister in the state brought problem to Karnataka.
He said that “it was not only Devegowda but other leaders including Ramakrishna Hegde, S.R. Bommai, J.H. Patel and party MLAs made me Deputy Chief Minister.”
He lashed out at Devegowda that “let him first understand who made him Prime Minister and Chief Minister.”
He mentioned that there are no differences in the party and that he would speak to Minister for Excise, Satish L. Jharkiholi regarding his resignation.
Electronic media
Speaking after launching a private television channel, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that electronic media should not run after TRP ratings and provide with authentic news. “The media is free to criticize anybody including me but the criticism should be objective”.
Later, after inaugurating a Kollapuradamma convention hall of Thigala community, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that caste census will start from April 11 for which government has kept aside Rs. 180 crore.
He said caste census has not been done after getting independence and hence many micro castes have been deprived of the facilities provided by the government.
Mentioning the importance of education, he said that social and economic empowerment of any community is possible only through education.
Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, T.B. Jayachandra, leader, MLAs, K.N. Rajanna, Rafiq Ahmed, H.M. Revanna, MP, S.P. Muddahanumegowda and others were present.