Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister was shocked and embarrassed when a woman sprang a surprise on Siddaramaiah by planting a firm peck on his right cheek at a public function in Bengaluru. This leaves the CM blushing.
The event had been organized by a Kuruba organization to felicitate the newly elected members of zilla and taluk panchayats from the community. Siddaramaiah was there to inaugurate it. Girija Srinivas, a member of Tarikere taluk panchayat from Amruthapura in Chikkamagalur district, was on the podium for a photo call along with other newly elected members who were offered felicitations. According to officials from the CM's office present near the dais, the woman sprang a surprise by planting a firm peck on the right cheek of Siddaramaiah.
Siddaramaiah quickly wiped his cheek but not before flashing a smile. In minutes, the video footage went viral and set social media abuzz. The CM said: "The girl is like my daughter, and it was an affectionate peck." Girija said she couldn't hide her excitement of sharing the dais with the CM whom she described as "a paternal figure". Ruling out it was planned, Srinivas said she has been a big fan of Siddaramaiah since school days and said the Kuruba community hails him as "the lion". "I was waiting for this moment (of interacting with the CM) and couldn't control my emotions," she added.
