06-07-2025
‘Not head of OBC Advisory Council,' says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah ahead of July 15 Bengaluru meeting of Congress body
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Sunday denied reports of his appointment as the head of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Other Backward Classes (OBC) Advisory Council. The first meeting of the Council is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on July 15.
Speaking to reporters a day after reports of his appointment surfaced, Siddaramaiah said that though he had seen it in the papers, he was not aware of his appointment as chairman. 'I will talk to the high command today (Sunday),' he said.
Siddaramaiah told the media that he was not aware of what his position would be in the Council. 'The AICC OBC wing president had asked me to hold a meeting (of the unit) in Karnataka. So, I arranged for it on July 15,' Siddaramaiah said, replying in the negative on whether this meant his entry in national politics.
Subsequently, the Chief Minister's Office put out a statement dismissing reports of his appointment as head of the Council. 'No such appointment has taken place. Siddaramaiah is a member of the OBC Advisory Council. The meeting of the Advisory Council will be held under AICC OBC wing president Dr Anil Jaihind on July 15 at Bengaluru,' the statement read.
The 24-member Council formed by AICC has former CMs such as Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel, and Veerappa Moily in its ranks, and is formed to chalk out a strategy to secure support from OBCs for the party.
