Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 20: "I had said long back that Yediyurappa would be divested of his position as the chief minister (CM) of Karnataka. But no one believed me then. Now the time has come," said former chief minister and leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah. Touching the point of leadership change in the state, he said whether Congress gains or loses because of this exercise, is not very important. More important is the fact that a corrupt chief minister is leaving, he clarified.

He was giving his response to the audio of telephonic conversation involving BJP state president, Nalin Kumar Kateel, in which the issue of replacement of the CM was mentioned. "Nalin would have described the developments under way at the high command level. But he has now claimed that he has nothing to do with the audio, it is not his voice, and that he would request the CM to probe. He also has talked of replacing Shettar and Eshwarappa. Once the CM is changed, some of the minister may be replaced," he analysed.

Siddaramaiah however, hastened to add that he does not feel that because of the change of the CM there will be premature midterm poll. He said if the election is declared, the Congress is ready to fight it and his party is always in a state of preparedness for facing elections.

Talking about his proposed Delhi visit, he said he cannot say for what purpose he has been asked to come to Delhi. "I am not aware of it. Rahul Gandhi is our leader. He has invited and I will be going there," he stated.