Bengaluru, 6 July

The OBC Department of the Congress proposed appointing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as one of the members of its Advisory Council, sparking a debate once again on the CM change in the State.

A letter written by Anil Jaihind, who heads the All India Congress Committee (OBC Dept), proposed the names of 24 people in the panel and sought the approval of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Besides Siddaramaiah, other names proposed for the council include Congress MLC B K Hariprasad, former chief ministers Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and Veerappa Moily.

Reacting to the development, Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he had no prior information about the move and came to know through media reports.

"I don't know about it. I too read it in the newspapers. You (media) have reported it. I will speak to the high command," the CM told reporters.

Siddaramaiah said that the Congress OBC President had only requested him to host a meeting in the State, which is scheduled for 15 July.

When asked about whether he would accept the responsibility, he said, "Should I run away when the responsibility is given to me? I had not sought this role and had no clue about it. The party high command has announced it. I will speak to them…. I have no information. What is the post, first of all? Different newspapers have used different designations," he remarked.

He clarified that he had no intention to shift to national politics.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, BJP State President BY Vijayendra said, “Proposing Siddaramaiah for the All India Backward Class Advisory Committee means he has been directed to resign and move to Delhi."

However, Home Minister G Parameshwara dismissed suggestions that Siddaramaiah was moving to national politics.

"Just because Siddaramaiah's name has been proposed for the Backward Classes Advisory Committee doesn't mean he is shifting to national politics," he said.