We are in favor of peace, Union Govt must strengthen security measures says Siddaramaiah

Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that there is no necessity for war with Pakistan. The Central Government should strengthen the security system. 

"We are not in favor of war. There should be peace and security to people. The Central Government must take strong security measures," he said. 

He was speaking to media persons in Mysuru on Saturday. 

When asked about the Union Government's appeal to all States to identify Pakistan citizens to send them out of the country, he said "We will co-operate and give information about Pakistan citizens in the state to the Central government. As of now we are not aware as to how many of them are there in Karnataka or Mysuru or other places of the State. Most of them are in Bengaluru." 

On the Central government accepting security lapses in Pahalgam attack, he said, "I have told the truth. There is a security and intelligence failure. It is a tourist place. 40 soldiers had died in Pulwama. They should have been cautious. They should have taken adequate security measures. They failed to provide security to people."

"Now even though they take adequate security measures, the lives of 26 people cannot be brought back. I had sent minister Santhosh Lad to Kashmir to coordinate in getting Kannadigas back to the State. He has brought all of them back. I am yet to meet Santhosh Lad to know the security situation at the ground level there, since I had been to M M Hills for a Cabinet meeting. I will talk to him," he said. 

On PM Narendra Modi not attending all party meeting and visiting Bihar, he said, "PM should have participated. Which is more important?" he questioned. 

On his visit to Chamarajanagar for 20th time and busting the jinx that a CM will lose power if he visited Chamarajanagar, he said, "The jinx was alleviated with my very first visit to Chamarajnagar itself, not at twentieth time," he said. 

Meanwhile CM Siddaramaiah informed that his knee issue has been better and he has recovered at least 90 per cent, he said.