No threat to my position; will complete term, says CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru, May 2: Refuting reports of an imminent change of leadership in the State, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday asserted that there was no threat to his position and he would complete his five-year term.

Delivering the Prof. A. Lakshmisagar Endowment Lecture on Superstition organised by the Karnataka Advocates Bar Council, he termed such reports as “mere rumours.”“There will be no change in leadership, and I will continue as Karnataka Chief Minister for the remaining two years,” he declared.

Vested interests blamed

Meanwhile, Mr. Siddaramaiah's Cabinet colleague, K.J. George, also made a similar statement at a function organised to mark May Day at Devaraj Urs Truck Terminus. Addressing the gathering, Mr. George said such reports were a “fabrication by some vested interests” and there would be no obstacle to Mr. Siddaramaiah completing his term.

Making use of the platform offered to him to speak about superstition, Mr. Siddaramaiah sent a strong message to his detractors. Politicians, especially those in power, were avoiding a visit to Chamarajanagar, because of the superstitious belief that going there would cost them their post. “But I visited Chamarajanagar, not once but six times after becoming Chief Minister. I am still continuing as Chief Minister,” he said.

He did not forget to mention that J.H. Patel as Chief Minister did not visit Chamarajanagar and launched development programmes from M.M. Hills, fearing that he may lose his post.

On the anti-superstition Bill, Mr. Siddaramaiah said: “I have directed the Legal Department to draft legislation which is stronger than that of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifices and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act 2013”.

Promising the introduction of the Bill in the legislature at the earliest, the Chief Minister stressed the need for developing scientific temperament. “I don't believe in astrology, rahukala and gulikala. I proved that by presenting the budget in rahukala,” he said.