‘Did Rajiv Gandhi call MLAs’ meeting before removing Veerendra Patil?’

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok on Tuesday sought to disagree with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who has maintained that apart from the Congress high command’s nod, the MLAs’ support too is crucial for becoming a Chief Minister.

Speaking to presspersons in Bengaluru, Mr. Ashok sought to remind him about the abrupt removal of the then Chief Minister Veerendra Patil by party leader Rajiv Gandhi.

“Let Mr. Siddaramaiah clarify whether Mr. Rajiv Gandhi had called a meeting of party legislators to decide on changing the Chief Minister while abruptly announcing at the airport in Bengaluru that Veerendra Patil would be removed,” he remarked.

Mr. Ashok, who had earlier predicted a “revolution” in November that would see a change of Chief Minister, said the process has already begun. “The dinner meeting convened by Mr. Siddaramaiah is an indication of the beginning,” he claimed.