JOIN USChief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the BJP was blowing the beef consumption issue out of proportion to divide society.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said, “I have not eaten beef so far. But if I feel like eating beef I will do so. What is wrong with it? How can it hurt the sentiments of the people,” he sought to know.
Siddaramaiah was responding to BJP leaders’ statement that they would initiate legal proceedings against him for his comments.
Answering a query, he said the State will soon file an application before the Mahadayi Tribunal for an interim award for release of two tmc ft water from the Kalasa-Banduri reservoir to Malaprabha reservoir to meet the drinking-water needs of North Karnataka. The chief minister said that in the long term, they would also seek approval for utilising 7.56 tmc ft by constructing reservoir at Kalasa.
On Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao extending his leave, Siddaramaiah said, “What can I say ? Can I tell him not to extend leave? Lokayukta is an autonomous institution.”