'High command decides leadership': Siddaramaiah reiterates he will remain CM

"It is the high command which decides about changing leadership or cabinet reshuffle. Has the High command said anything? Everyone including me, DCM, all ministers, MLAs should listen and abide by what the High command says" Siddaramaiah said.

Mysuru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reiterated that he will be the chief minister for the entire term and he will be present during the remaining budgets too, however whatever high command says is final.

"It is the High command which decides about changing leadership or cabinet reshuffle. Has the High command said anything? Everyone including me, DCM, all ministers, MLAs should listen and abide by what the High command says" he said.

He was answering a question by media persons at Mysuru Airport on Friday related to the visit of some MLAs, ministers to meet the High command in Delhi. He said, "Some were talking earlier also. Some might have gone now also. But every one should follow the High command's decision," he said.

CM said, "AICC head Mallikarjun Kharge will come to Bengaluru on Friday and he will meet him on Saturday, " he said.

Regarding Minister Chaluvarayaswamy's visit to Delhi, he said, "Should any one not go to Delhi at all? I have spoken to him on video conference. He has cleared that he has gone to meet the Union Agriculture minister," he said.

Regarding D K Suresh's statement that Siddaramaiah will keep up his words, he said, "Yes I will keep up my words and hence I am implementing all guarantee programmes," he said.

CM Siddaramaiah briefed about his meeting in Bengaluru related to Maize crops. He said that there is an increase in maize production. Yet the Centre is importing it from abroad. They are writing to the Union Government to stop importing Maize and urging them to purchase it from the State.

He has even told the Finance department secretary to hold the meeting of distillery owners to buy maize for ethanol production, as they are not buying since they have bought and stocked when the rates were low.

He is even asking the marketing federation to open start maize purchase centres. He even said that they are writing to the Union government to change the FAQ (Fair Average Quality) related to Green Gram as some crops are discoloured due to excess rain or rain during the time of harvest.