In a major push to propagate Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is playing the appeasement of Backward Classes to the hilt ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls, the Karnataka State Department of Public Instruction has sent a circular to all Government and aided schools to purchase a book written in Kannada called "Itta Guri, Ditta Hejje'', which means 'determined steps towards set goals' and talks about Siddaramaiah’s political life, achievements and popular schemes.  Siddaramaiah, who is facing major dissidence after his Cabinet reshuffle, has not left any stone unturned to propagate himself. 

The book, which is costing Rs300, has been already bought by hundreds of schools across the State. A senior Congress leader, who did not want to be named, said "it is height of sycophancy. He and his advisors are finding all possible ways to propagate him rather than building the party."

Sources in the Department of Public Instruction said they had sent out circulars to all schools to procure two copies of this Kannada book for their libraries.

The move to sell this book to schools, a narrative of Siddaramaiah, his political life, administration and his achievements, has been severely crticised by many within the Congress as well as outside the party forum.

In an essay by a Kannada  scholar Sa Shi Marulaiah called RsAs I have seen Siddaramaiah', compares Siddaramaiah with former Karnataka Chief Minister and champion of backward classes D Devaraj Urs  aprt from giving finer details of  healthy administration; why he's a simple and honest politician; his philosophy and achievements; his  society-oriented projects; his path to power; walk towards fulfilling his goals; a Rsvisionary for a healthy society', and so on.

The book is published by Kannada  Sahitya Vedike and contains many articles about Siddaramaiah and his political philosophy and life.  As per the circular dated March 28 , the publisher of the book Kannada Sahitya Vedike had written to the Government on January 2 urging it to direct all Government schools to purchase copies of the book for their libraries.

Many in the close coterie of the Chief Minister feel, it is an opportunity for the students to learn about Siddaramaiah and his political achievements, but many say they don't understand why this self-image-boosting book should be a compulsory reading for the students.

However, defending the CM, newly appointed Karnataka Education Minister Tanveer Sait said the book is not mandatory for the students. He said "It's a separate book on the vision of the CM and it is not a chapter in the book. It is also not mandatory in the syllabus."

However major opposition  Bharatiya Janata Party questioned the credibility of thursting such a book upon children and hit out at Chief Minister for making it compulsory for the  school library. S Prakash of the BJP said " it is highly nonsensical  to promote such a book of Siddaramaiah . It is self propagating effort ahead of elections to the Assembly in 2018. We demand that the circular be withdrawn, otherwise we will take up the matter in the ensuing session of the Assembly."