Chikkodi: The pro-Kannada organisation members were left fuming on April 28 as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked Marathi voters to pardon him as he didn’t know Marathi, in a public programme, just for the sake of votes.

Siddaramaiah was campaigning for Nippani Congress candidate Kaka Saheb Patil and Chikkodi candidate Ganesh Hukkeri in an open stage programme held near the Maharashtra-Karnataka border. Moreover, the chief minister who sought pardon as he arrived late at the venue by two hours.

Ironically, even the banners also contained Marathi wordings, though the CM assures that his government promotes Kannada.