Mysuru, 18 July

The government will decide about setting up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the mass burials at Dharmasthala based on police recommendations, not individual pressure, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

“We cannot establish SIT merely based on someone's statement” he told reporters in Mysuru on Friday. “A person who was absconding for more than ten years has voluntarily come forward with claims about buried bodies in Dharmasthala. The police are conducting an investigation, and we shall await their report before determining further action. We are not under any pressure regarding this case, and even if there were pressure, we would not yield to it.”

Referring to retired justice V Gopalagowda demand for a SIT, he said that his government is not pro or against the constitution of SIT. However, he said the government cannot act on the suggestions of individuals, but must wait for the x.

Reacting to State BJP chief BY Vijayendra challenging Congress leaders to make AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge the Prime Ministerial face, Siddaramaiah hit back, asking Vijayendra to give up his post.

"Let BJP make a Dalit as its State unit Chief,” he said. “Congress is the only party abiding by the Constitution, committed for social justice. People of all communities are accorded positions in Congress.”

On the RCB stampede outside M Chinnaswammy stadium in City, he said the Cabinet will discuss the Justice Michael D’Cunha report in its next meeting.

Asked about the findings of the report, he said, "the media has reported certain things....I will speak about it after the next cabinet meeting."

Replying to a question on opposition BJP's criticism of his government's mega "Sadhana Samavesha" convention in Mysuru, planned on Saturday, Siddaramaiah said, development works worth Rs 2,658 crore will be inaugurated and foundation stones will be laid during the event. He asked what BJP had done for the district.