Mysore/Mysuru: Laying all speculations about next Chief Minister to rest, Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly Siddharamaiah categorically stated that this question is not before the party at present as it will be decided by legislators in Congress Legislature Party meeting after 2023 Assembly polls.

“Discussing this issue has no relevance now. Besides, this subject is not at all before the party. Still there is lot of time to decide on this subject,” he told media at his residence in Ramakrishnanagar here yesterday.

On alleged differences of opinion with KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar, the former CM ruled out any rift with the State Party Chief and said both of them enjoy a good chemistry.

About prevailing original and outsider internal war in State Congress Unit, Siddharamaiah said in that case, he should not have become Chief Minister since he came from Janata Dal (Secular).  No such difference exists within the party, he claimed.

The former CM also downplayed controversy surrounding over the election to the post of Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress Committee President and said the result was on hold for some reasons. However, the same has been cleared by National Youth Congress Committee and has declared Raksha Ramaiah as new President of Pradesh Youth Congress Committee, he stated.

Convene Assembly Session to discuss covid

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Siddharamaiah on Thursday urged Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to convene Assembly Session immediately to discuss many issues including covid-19 situation.

Speaking to newspersons in Mysuru yesterday, he said that the ruling party is scared to face the Opposition and that is why it does not want to have a session.

“The BJP Government will definitely stand exposed during the session. If Yediyurappa believes in democracy, he should call for an Assembly Session,” Siddharamaiah claimed.

On CM Yediyurappa’s hesitation to visit Chamarajanagar ‘due to superstition’, the Congress leader said, “as Chief Minister I visited Chamarajanagar 12 times. Yediyurappa should go there to know the problems of the people.”

Don’t hold SSLC examination

Siddharamaiah urged the State Government not to hold SSLC examination this month by risking lives of lakhs of students. Already, second year PU examination has been cancelled and why the same yardstick was not applied to SSLC examination? he asked.

“Primary and Secondary Education Minister S. Suresh Kumar was in a great hurry to hold the SSLC examination without bothering its effects on parents, teachers and students. He has even kept Health and Medical Education Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar in dark about the examination. It shows lack of coordination among Ministers on important decisions. I will urge the Government to hold SSLC and PU examinations or cancel both of them,” he said.

Siddharamaiah flayed the Government for misleading people on vaccine supply. While Health Minister Dr. Sudhakar says there is no shortage of vaccine, but the vaccination drive has stopped in all districts owing to non-availability of vaccine. People were cursing the incumbent Government for its failure to ensure the adequate stock of vaccine to its citizens, he said.