Siddaramaiah’s meeting with Srinivas Prasad fuels political speculation

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visits BJP MP Srinivas Prasad, sparking political speculations ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called on former Minister and incumbent BJP MP Srinivas Prasad at the latter’s residence in Mysuru on Saturday, sparking political speculations ahead of the coming Lok Sabha elections.

The two leaders were daggers drawn at each other since 2016 when Mr. Prasad was dropped from the then Cabinet of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah forcing the veteran Dalit leader to join the BJP.

The two leaders were meeting each other not only after a gap of almost eight years, but also after Mr. Prasad announced his retirement from active politics.

Speaking to reporters after emerging from Mr. Prasad’s house, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he and Mr. Prasad were long-time political friends, but he had joined the BJP. He said he came to speak to him after his retirement from politics and inquire about his health.

Responding to questions, Mr. Siddaramaiah said politics was not discussed during the meeting as Mr. Prasad had already declared that he would not join any political party or attend any political campaign or meeting. Though there was no point in discussing politics after his announcement, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had appealed to the Dalit leader to have sympathy for the Congress party as he had spent a long time of political career in the Congress party.

Meanwhile, Mr. Prasad, while interacting with reporters after meeting Mr. Siddaramaiah, expressed happiness over the Chief Minister’s courtesy call to inquire his well-being.

When asked if the meeting marks the end of his acrimony with the Chief Minister, Mr. Prasad said the question of him opposing or supporting does not arise as he had quit active politics.