'No question of resigning'

Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Thursday categorically said he would not resign as a director of Matrix Imaging Solutions in the wake of charges of nepotism against his father.

“The code of conduct to be followed by the ministers applies to their minor children, family members who are dependent on them and wife/husband. Though I am living with my father (Siddaramaiah), I am not dependent on him. I am a doctor by profession. Hence, the code of conduct does not apply to me,” he told this newspaper.

The contract to establish a superspecialty laboratory at Victoria hospital was awarded after a transparent tendering process. “It has been politicised unnecessarily. It would send a wrong message if I resign (as a director of the company). I don’t like to politicise it,” Yathindra said.

He said his company had no intention to make a profit from the venture. The company will conduct medical examinations at 20 per cent less cost than what Victoria Hospital charges. The aim is to help poor patients, he said.

‘Transparent tender’
When contacted, Medical Education Minister, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, said the question of cancelling the contract awarded to the company owned by Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra did not arise. “We will be going ahead with the inauguration, but the date has not been fixed as there are a few pending works to be completed at the facility. The contract has been awarded through a transparent bidding process. The question of cancelling it does not arise,” he said.