Don't give political colour to ministers' dinner meet: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

Davangere: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that the state budget will be presented in March 2025, and that a preliminary meeting will be convened before that to discuss several issues.

Speaking to media persons here on Sunday, he reiterated that there was no politics behind hosting dinner with ministers at the residence of PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, and added that media persons are unnecessarily giving political colour to it.

Defending the hike in KSRTC bus fare, he said all governments that have governed the state in the past have also done it. "It had been hiked 5 years ago. Now, it has been done to enhance the salary of the staff of state transport corporations, buy new buses and to bear the diesel expenses," he said.

On the possible reinduction of MLA B Nagendra into the cabinet, he said the discussions in this regard are underway.

When asked about change of chief minister and KPCC president, he said the posts are not vacant. However, the party high command will take a call on the matter, he added.

Responding to Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy's allegations on 60 per cent commission, he asserted that all accusations must be proved through documents.