Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing an internal rebellion over reshuffle of his Ministry, has chosen to ignore the dissidence but said he was confident of convincing the dropped colleagues who were on a warpath with him.
Siddaramaiah on Monday after violent protests by the supporters of sacked Ministers across the State said he would convince them. He specifically said he would ignore the remarks made by actor turned politician MH Ambareesh from Mandya, the heart land of vokkaliga politics where he compared Chief Minister to Hitler.
He said on the sideline of a function in Bengaluru that he can’t react to such statements wasting time. ‘‘leave it. I will speak to him. I cannot be waste time reacting to such statements,” he said.
Another senior leader and Power Minister DK Shivakumar downplayed the rebellion in the party and said it remained a family and disgruntled legislators who were either dropped from the Cabinet or others who were unhappy that they were not accommodated. “The rebellion will cool down within two days. We are all friends and Congress leaders in the State are like family members” he said. “There was pressure on Chief Minister to reshuffle the cabinet and this has happened now under the guidance of the Congress high command,” he added.
Meanwhile MH Ambareesh who has been sacked from the Ministry said he was not a ‘chappal’ (slipper) to be thrown away when not required, adding that he had his own popularity and knew how to handle the same. He also said he would not take back his resignation. Ambareesh not only challenged Siddaramaiah but also indicated that he has been in touch with other parties.
Ambareesh said Siddaramaiah should have called him and asked him to give a chance to somebody else.
“I am also a three-time MP. I was a Union Minister and I worked with him for three years. You must call us and say Ambareesh give the chance to somebody else. I would have happily given. I have no interest in power. I am satisfied because I work to my heart,” he added.
Holding the Chief Minister responsible for his resignation, Ambareesh expressed confidence that many political parties would now approach him and give him a red carpet welcome.
“Everybody will approach me and give me red carpet welcome. They know if I come I will be strength,” he added.
In a major reshuffle to his Cabinet Siddaramaiah sacked 14 ministers which include Ambareesh, Srinivasa Prasad and others by inducting 13 others which led to a major rebellion in the party.