From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Dec 10: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confessed that his entry into politics was because of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha leader late Prof M D Nanjundaswamy and also recalled his younger days when he was riding a scooter to move around.
Releasing Kannada film director and noted art and culture stalwart T N Sitharam’s autobiography, ‘Nenapina Putagalu’ (pages of memory) in Bengaluru on Sunday, he said he was happy at his friendship with Seetharam for the last 40 years.
“Seetharam is a versatile and creative person with vast experience in different fields of life and had been regularly visiting Lankesh Patrike office along with Seethram,” Siddaramaiah said.
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The Chief Minister mentioned that he was deeply impressed by Prof Nanjunadaswamy and his brilliance and intellect. “When I was a law student, Prof Nanjundaswamy was a law college professor. He used to discuss with the students who were interested in politics," he said.
Siddaramaiah said because of Prof Nanjundaswamy, he became a member of Samajwadi Yuva Janasabha. “In 1971, when Virendra Patil was the Chief Minister, I was involved in the movement against the government. Prof Nanjundaswamy is the reason behind my political career," he said.
“While I was working as an office bearer in the Janata Party, the party leaders encouraged me. Later, after winning the election as an independent candidate, I supported Ramakrishna Hegde and served as the chairman of the Kannada Kavalu Samithi. I worked as minister for sericulture in 1984. After winning in 1985 from Janata Dal, I worked as Minister of Animal Husbandry. I had to lose the ministerial position due to unavoidable reasons,” he said recalling his memories of riding on his scooter.
“Seetharam is a multi-talented person involved in politics and art. He was a close friend of Ramakrishna Hegde. If he was active in politics, he would have become an MLA. Nenapina Putagalu is well written and truthful,’’ he added.