Nagendra violating law would be wrong, says Yathindra

Vijayapura

Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Sunday said it would be wrong if Minister B Nagendra had violated any legal conditions while travelling to Delhi, stressing that the matter should be handled according to the law.

Speaking to reporters in Vijayapura, Yathindra was asked about Nagendra, who is currently out on bail, travelling to Delhi.

“If he has violated any legal rules, it is wrong,” Yathindra said, adding that the legal consequences, including the possibility of cancellation of bail, would have to be examined by Nagendra’s legal team.

Yathindra also rejected reports that his father and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was unhappy because some of his close associates had not received ministerial positions during the recent Cabinet expansion.

Responding to questions on whether Siddaramaiah felt sidelined during the exercise, Yathindra said there was no basis for such claims. He said the Chief Minister himself had publicly clarified that he was not unhappy and that he had not been sidelined in the Cabinet expansion process.

Yathindra said he was with his father and was aware of the discussions surrounding the Cabinet expansion. According to him, Siddaramaiah had been consulted before the new ministers were selected and had shared his suggestions and a list of names with the party leadership.

He said only 15 ministerial positions were available during the expansion, while Siddaramaiah had suggested more names for consideration. The leadership subsequently selected some candidates from the list based on the available positions.

Yathindra maintained that the Chief Minister had been involved in the process and that the final selection was made after considering his views. He dismissed speculation about differences within the government or dissatisfaction over the allocation of ministerial positions.

 

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Aperson on bail may have to obtain permission before travelling outside the permitted jurisdiction and added that Nagendra’s lawyers would determine whether any permission was required in his case.

• Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Minister