My name is Siddaramaiah...

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Pulling former CM Siddaramaiah’s leg has its own consequences and who would know this better than his former shishyas in the Janata parivar?

Last week, Housing Minister V Somanna indirectly advised his onetime political guru in the Janata Pariwar to shed his ego and stop making caustic remarks against top guns of the BJP. If he did this, he could earn a revered place alongside the stalwarts of Karnataka politics like D Devaraj Urs, Shanthaveri Gopalagowda, Abdul Nazeer Sab, HD Deve Gowda and JH Patel, remarked Somanna.

Quite aware of the intentions of Somanna, Siddaramaiah said Siddaramaiah is Siddaramaiah and he cannot become like Urs, Shanthaveri, Nazeer Sab, Deve Gowda or Patel. “My name is Siddaramaiah and I don’t want a certificate from a person like Somanna”, he thundered. Whether he gets a certificate or not, Siddu has already earned a place for himself among Karnataka’s distinguished politicos, which Somanna should know like anyone else.

A touchy gift
Politicians are gifted with a variety of gifts like sheep, goat, mace, mementos, saplings, artecrafts, gold and silver ornaments.

Recently, a die-hard fan of former CM and senior Janata Dal(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy presented him with a pair of bullocks worth Rs 1.8 lakh. The fan, identified as Madhusudan of Maddur taluk, had purchased a pair of Khilari breed of bullocks and personally handed them over to Kumaraswamy who had gone to inaugurate the cattle fair held every year in Maddur.

The former CM was no less than shocked when his fan handed over to him the bullocks after the inaugural function. He humbly received them and promised to take care of them at his Bidadi farmhouse. The love for the Gowda family has not diminished in any way despite the electoral reverses of the JD(S).

Entertaining neta
The JD(S) MLA from Arasikere in Hassan district, Shivalinge Gowda is one of the best orators among the current lot of lawmakers. He is a good entertainer too.

The video clipping of him talking to Mumbai cops in broken English and Hindi when Congress and JD(S MLAs were housed in a posh Mumbai hotel a few years ago, had gone viral.

Recently, he was invited to inaugurate a drama in his constituency. Gowda not only opened it but also took the mace in his right hand and flawlessly delivered a dialogue from the epic Mahabharata. The audience was amused to see his talent and appreciated him. His theatre skills apart, the MLA is also known for his commitment towards the people in his constituency. Let’s hope we have many more lawmakers like him!