Never said I’d step down: CM Siddu on power sharing

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday inadvertently gave the State government’s detractors more ammunition by clarifying that he never said he’d step down from his post.

He made the remarks to Public TV in an exclusive interview, pointing out that the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and the high command had approved his name for the head of government.

On being questioned about whether he was still adamant on his retirement from electoral politics, he confirmed the same.

“You are right. I told the same thing to the people as well. Even during the election campaign, I said the same thing and I have also told the people of my constituency that after my term is over, I will not get into electoral politics,” Siddaramaiah said.

When asked about how a CM could step down after he was chosen by the majority of the MLAs, he said: “No, I never said that I would give up the position (CM’s post). I have only said that after this term, I will not remain in electoral politics”.

“The MLAs elected me as CLP leader, and the high command approved it,” he added.

Back in May, the Congress high command reportedly had mollified the eventual Deputy CM DK Shivakumar by assuring him that he would be made the CM for the second half of the five year term.