Threw my mobile phone due to late-night calls, drunkards, reveals CM Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Recently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had revealed that he does not have a mobile phone. Well, on Monday, he explained why — pesky calls from drunk people and late-night callers.

The CM, who inaugurated an orientation camp for first-time MLAs, organised by Assembly Speaker U T Khader at Kshema Vana in Nelamangala, was sharing his political experiences and the numberous welfare schemes launched by his previous government among other issues.

During an interaction session, Humnabad BJP MLA Dr Siddu Patil wanted to know from Siddaramaiah why he does not have his own mobile phone. To this, the CM said, “In the early days when mobile phones were introduced, I did have one for about six months. But people would call late at night and sometimes, even drunk people would call. I got fed up and dumped the mobile phone”, he explained.

Siddaramaiah interacting with the first-time MLAs.

“Ever since, I give the number of my personal assistants and, if necessary, I attend calls on their phones”, he added. To a question from BJP MLA Bhagirathi Murulya on whether he liked his stint in the JD(S) better, or in the Congress, Siddaramaiah said the Constitution is more important to him and that he would be with that party which uphold the Constitution.

Responding to Shivamogga MLA Channabasappa, he said, “During the Emergency, I had put up a table, stood on it and delivered a speech on Sayyaji Road (in Mysuru) opposing its imposition and even distributed handbills. The police took me away and I spend a day at the Devaraja police station holding cell. I strongly opposed Emergency”, he said.

Speaker U T Khader leads the first-time MLAs during a physical activity session on Monday morning.

The three-day orientation camp, which began on Monday, is being organised to acclimatise the newly elected lawmakers with Constitutional values, importance of the legislatuer, the conduct of the House, the responsibilities of legislators among other issues. Former BJP Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa was also expected to address the lawmakers on Monday evening. Over the next two days, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar and former CM H D Kumaraswamy will also interact with the newly elected legislators and address them.

Apart from this, Dharmastala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Hegde, Brahmakumaris B K Veena and B K Bhuvaneshwari, Jamat-e-Islam head Mohammed Kunhi will address the MLAs. Due to opposition from some senior members and following a suggestion from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the names of Sri Sri Ravishankar and Gururaj Karjagi were dropped.

The three-day session include physical training, lectures by resource persons and interactions. At the inauguration, CM Siddaramaiah, Speaker U T Khader, Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Law Minister H K Patil, Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed and others were present.