If Congress High Command decides, will continue as Karnataka CM for full 5-year tenure: Siddaramaiah

Asked to comment on talks of state minister K H Muniyappa also being projected as Chief Minister, Siddharamaiah said in a democratic system it is natural to have aspirations on becoming a chief minister.

Mangaluru: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah Monday reacted to the ongoing chatter over leadership change in the state and said 'if the party high command decides, he will continue as the CM for a full five-year tenure'.

After receiving the ceremonial guard of honour at the Mangaluru International Airport (MIA), Siddaramaiah seemed to downplay former minister K N Rajanna's statement on leadership change and said that if the High Command decides, he will continue to be the chief minister.

Asked to comment on talks of state minister K H Muniyappa being projected as Chief Minister, Siddharamaiah said in a democratic system it is natural to have aspirations on becoming a chief minister.

"But the final decision rests with the high command," he stressed.

CM on Dharmasthala SIT report

Chief Minister responding to a query on SIT submitting a report on the alleged mass deaths in Dharmasthala, said SIT may or may not submit the report to Home Minister by the end of this month. "I will not interfere (in the issue)," he added. A FIR will be registered against any individual who attempts to create fissures in society and delivers inflammatory speeches with the objective of disturbing peace in the region. "A FIR was registered against RSS leader Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, because he spoke ill of muslim women in his speech," explained Siddharamaiah.