On Tuesday, expressing regrets for referring to President Droupadi Murmu in the singular, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he has immense respect for Droupadi Murmu.

Siddaramaiah was referring to his remark at a state-level convention of the ‘Shoshitara Jagruthi Samavesha’ organized by the Federation of Associations of Oppressed Communities and the Federation of Karnataka Backward Classes on Sunday in Chitradurga.

The Chief Minister clarified that I became a bit emotional while expressing outrage. I addressed President Droupadi Murmu in the singular, as a slip of the tongue. In rural areas, it is a practice to address parents and elders in the singular.

Siddaramaiah further said, I have immense respect for the Honorable President, as President Droupadi Murmu also comes from oppressed classes like me, he added.

H.D. Kumarswamy demanded Siddaramaiah’s dismissal from the CM post.

JDS State President H.D. Kumaraswamy demanded Siddaramaiah’s dismissal from the Chief Minister’s post for addressing the President in the singular. Hitting out at the CM,

Kumaraswamy said Siddaramaiah does not deserve to be in the Chief Minister post, even for a moment. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should immediately resign, taking moral responsibility, or the governor should remove him from the post, he said.