Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa has ruled out the possibility of any threat to Siddaramaiahâs position as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.Fielding queries relating to the stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru recently, Mr. Mahadevappa said the government has expressed shock and hurt over the loss of lives in the incident, but denied that the issue rocked the Chief Ministerâs chair.âThe Chief Ministerâs chair is firm. So is the person seated on it,â he said while asserting that Mr. Siddaramaiah will continue as the Chief Minister of the State.He said Mr. Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar visited the national capital to discuss issues related to the caste census, besides other issues pertaining to administration and strengthening of the party with the Congress partyâs central leadership.ED probeResponding to queries on the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) raids on the premises of Congress leaders, Mr. Mahadevappa said the probe agencies were empowered to conduct inquiries as per law based on complaints or information they had. âBut, if any probe becomes politically motivated, it is against the Constitutionâ, he said.Dasara expenditureTo a question on the delay in disclosing the expenditure during last yearâs Dasara, Mr. Mahadevappa said he has instructed the officials to make public the expenditure incurred by the government on the festivities.âThe expenditure on the Dasara festivities had been transparent. There is nothing to hideâ, he remarked.Published - June 11, 2025 07:24 pm IST