Daijiworld Media Network - Raichur (SP)

Raichur, Feb 18: "We have hundreds of people in our country who are capable enough to discharge duties and responsibilities as the Prime Minister of India. Why is a notion being spread that Narendra Modi alone has the capacity to fit the bill?" wondered former chief minister and leader of Congress legislature party, Siddaramaiah.

He was speaking to media persons at Veeraghota in Devadurga taluk in the district on Sunday February 17. He said that hundreds of leaders from opposition parties too are fit to become Prime Minister. Several leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Deve Gowda and Mayawati have the capability to become the Prime Minister of India, he sought to explain.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that Narendra Modi had become Prime Minister directly after being the chief minister of a state, adding that working as minister before ascending the top political post in the country is not a prerequisite as exhibited by Modi. "This is a time of coalition governments. Not a single party is able to muster majority. Therefore, like-minded parties come together and form alliances. The government at the centre is NDA government, not BJP. Although other parties have entered into national alliance for the Lok Sabha poll, we will not announce our Prime Ministerial candidate at this point," he
stated.

On the issue of dissidence in the party, he said that notices had been served to legislators who failed to attend legislature party meeting. "All of them have clarified that they continue to be in Congress. We have discussed with Ramesh Jarkiholi, who has certain problems on hand. "We will address these issues soon. As of now, there is no dissident in Congress," he claimed.