Chief Minister-designate Siddaramaiah on Sunday said he would make efforts to fulfil the promises made in the party’s election manifesto in the next four years.
“I will list out the priorities for each year for their implementation. Like this, I can be able to fulfil the promises made to the electorate in about four years,” he told presspersons here.
Asked whether he would keep the Finance portfolio, he replied, “I am yet to decide.”
To another question, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the budget would be based on the party’s election manifesto. “I have the task of toning up the administration. Agriculture sector, drinking water and electricity are my immediate priorities,” he replied.
Mr. Siddaramaiah appealed to the Dalits to support him and promised to protect their interests. To a question on the protests by Dalits after Union Labour Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge was denied the Chief Minister’s post for which the senior Congress leader was in the race, the Chief Minister-designate said, “It is true he (Kharge) should have got the post but the party high command has chosen me for the post and we are committed to its decision. I therefore appeal to the Dalit community to extend its cooperation. I promise them that he will work honestly to uphold the principles of social justice. I will work for the welfare and development of Dalits.”
