Bengaluru: Controversies never seem to end in Karnataka these days. With political parties and their rebels and dissidents making news, a new controversy has erupted after an official direction was issued, authorising government and aided schools to purchase a book on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s political life and achievements for their libraries by the Education department.
The letter, dated March 28 from the Education Department Commissioner’s office, signed by Director of Primary Education, authorises and permits government and aided schools to buy the book titled ‘Itta Guri Ditta Hejje’ for their libraries. The letter states that the book is on Siddaramaiah’s political life, popular schemes and achievements.
Reports suggested that the publishers have already sold about 20,000 copies. The book costs Rs 300 per copy.
Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar has demanded the book’s immediate withdrawal, calling it as an attempt to promote the Chief Minister.
Siddaramaiah reacts
Speaking to mediapersons on the query, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he was not aware about the letter or the book and had just heard that someone from Tumakuru had written the book.
“I’m not aware of it. I just got to know that someone by name Mahadevaiah from Tumakuru has written the book, someone has asked libraries to purchase it, I don’t know. I will check who has done it. I don’t know about the circular,” he said.
