Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Nov 19: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday November 19 dismissed claims of Pramod Madhwaraj joining the BJP and lashed out at MP Nalin Kumar Kateel saying he had 'neither culture nor refinement'.
He was speaking to reporters after landing at Mangaluru International Airport en route Udupi, where he is scheduled to take part in public programmes.
Asked to respond to claims regarding Udupi district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj joining the BJP, Siddarmaiah said, "BJP is intentionally creating rumours. Madhwaraj will not join BJP. They are trying to Pramod Madhwaraj's image. Madhwaraj himself has clarified several times that he will not join the BJP."
When it was pointed out that Nalin Kumar Kateel himself had claimed in a programme that Pramod Madhwaraj would indeed join the BJP, the CM said, "Nalin Kumar does not know what he speaks. He is cultureless and has no refinement. I have contacts within the BJP and the RSS. Can I keep on saying this again and again?
To a question on alleged privatisation of a government hospital in Udupi, Siddaramaiah said, "We are not privatising the hospital. It stays with the government. It will remain with the government and continue as a governement hospital."
Ministers Pramod Madhwaraj and U T Khader, MLA Mohiuddin Bava, MLC Ivan D'Souza, mayor Kavita Sanil and others were present.