She is like my daughter: CM Siddaramiah clarifies on public kiss

Bengaluru, Jun 26: Urging the media not to create one more controversy Karnataka chief minister Siddaramiah said that he considers the woman who kissed him in public meet here on Sunday like her daughter.

“That woman is like my daughter. She is innocent. Don't create a controversy,” the CM replied to media persons when asked the surprise kiss he received from a woman.

The incident happened at a programme to felicitate newly elected members of zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats, organised by the Karnataka Pradesha Kuruba Sangha at palace grounds here.

Standing next to Chief Minister for a group photo, Girija Srinivas, who is Tarikere Taluk Panchayat member from Amruthapura in Chikmagalur district, all of a sudden in her moment of joy gave a peck on his cheek and walked away.

Siddaramaiah, visibly embarrassed by the incident, wiped his cheek with a big smile.

The Karnataka Chief Minister hails from Kuruba community. Speaking to a TV channel, the woman said she was happy that the Chief Minister was also a Kuruba, and called him a "lion of the community".

"I was overjoyed by the fact that I was standing next to him. My family and I have always called him "Appaji" (father)."

She also clarified that placing a peck on Siddaramaiah's cheek was not preplanned. Srinivas hails from Varuna in Mysuru district which is Siddaramaiah's assembly constituency. She is married to a man from Chikmagalur.

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