Bringing back ‘collapsed’ administration my top priority: Siddaramaiah

Bangalore: Siddaramaiah, who would be the new Karnataka Chief Minister, on Friday said putting the `collapsed" administration back on track would be a major challenge facing him in his new role. "The development of the state has gone 10 years back", Siddaramaiah told reporters after he was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party.

In the May five Assembly polls, the Congress had decimated the ruling BJP and staged a spectacular comeback to power after seven years. He said the date of his swearing-in ceremony as Chief Minister had not yet been decided but it could be either on May 12 or May 13. Asked whether he would have Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah said "the High Command will decide." Replying to a query, Siddaramaiah maintained that there was no secret ballot on the CLP leadership issue and the decision was unanimous. "The MLAs were asked to give their preference in writing, instead of orally, and it (election) was done in a democratic and transparent way", Siddaramaiah said. "After eliciting the opinion of legislators, the issue was discussed with Sonia Gandhi. Subsequently, Antony announced that as per her directive, I have been elected CLP leader", he said. Siddaramaiah said the Congress was committed to inclusive growth and would make sincere efforts in this regard. People were expecting a different government and a government which functions. They were also expecting a corruption-free and transparent government, he said. Siddaramaiah said he would try to live up to people`s expectations. He expressed his gratitude to Sonia Gandhi and party Vice President Rahul Gandhi for reposing faith on him as the CLP Leader. PTI