Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that there is nothing wrong in state MLAs aspiring for Ministerial posts by visiting New Delhi, and that the decision on Cabinet reshuffle rests solely with the Congress high command. He was speaking to the media at the N.R. Pura travellers' bungalow on Sunday.
Responding to a query on Ministerial aspirants visiting New Delhi, the Chief Minister reiterated that there is nothing wrong in such visits. "The Cabinet reshuffle is pending. The elections in five states and the Budget session could be the reasons for the delay," he added.
Replying to a query on whether a wave of resignations has begun within the Congress, the Chief Minister said that his political secretary Naseer Ahmed has not resigned so far, though he may do so. He asserted that the Congress has not accepted defeat and will surely win the upcoming Assembly bypolls in Karnataka.
"Electoral wins and losses are not grounds for taking action against individuals. Salim Ahmed is a party leader. His statement was only expressing dissatisfaction over anti-party activities by some individuals in the Davanagere South by-election. He has not said that the Congress will lose.
Despite such activities, the party will win," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said. He added that the construction of a bridge in Narasimharajapura had been a long-pending demand. "It is a matter of happiness that the foundation stone has been laid and the project is being completed during my tenure.
No steps were taken for the bridge construction during the BJP's tenure," the Chief Minister said. Responding to allegations that the state government is freely granting permission for resorts in the Malnad region but not issuing land rights to forest dwellers, CM Siddaramaiah said that a meeting will soon be held to discuss forest rights and related issues.
Reacting to criticism from Kerala that Karnataka is not safe for tourists, the Chief Minister said that the death of a girl from Kerala in Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru will be investigated. "However, it is far from the truth to say that Karnataka is unsafe for tourists," he added.