Bengaluru: Housing minister MTB Nagaraj, who is considered as country’s richest minister announced his political retirement. Speaking at an event organised by the Shepherd community in the city on Sunday evening he stated that he will not contest in any elections in the future.

“My ultimate aim and dream was to become a minister. Former CM Siddaramaiah fulfilled it. As my dream is fulfilled, I have decided to take retirement. I am like Hanumanta for Lord Shrirama. If you open my chest, you can see Siddaramaiah there,” he added.

Backward classes welfare minister C Puttaranga Shetty, who was present in the event urged the JDS and the Congress leadership to replace CM HD Kumaraswamy with Siddaramaiah. “Whatever people say. For me, Siddaramaiah is the CM.

Local MLA ST Somasekar used the occasion to attack CM HD Kumaraswamy and HD Deve Gowda family. “A few leaders use all the opportunities to make their relatives, children and grandchildren as ministers, Chief Minister, MP, MLA etc. But Siddaramaiah is giving opportunity for one and all,” he said.

“My constituency was developed when Siddaramaiah was the CM. The present government is neglecting the constituency,” he alleged.

Former CM Siddaramaiah said ensuring social justice is the meaning of real secularism. “But a few people misinterpret it. It led to my debacle,” he said.