Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Says “My Chair Is Strong” Amid Lively House Banter

Belagavi, Dec 2025 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday addressed a light-hearted tussle in the Legislative Council over his chair, asserting it was “strong and steady” after opposition members mocked him when staff adjusted it in the Upper House.

The incident occurred as Siddaramaiah rose to make a statement but found his chair improperly positioned. Struggling to stand and address the House, he requested staff to move and adjust it. BJP MLC Hanumanth Nirani commented that even the Chief Minister appeared to be having difficulty, noting that his microphone was not fixed properly.

Siddaramaiah replied with composure, stating that the position of the chair is irrelevant—“even if one is the Prime Minister, if there’s difficulty, it should be addressed.” The Leader of the Opposition, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, then remarked that the CM’s chair seemed ‘shaky’ these days. The Chief Minister quickly countered, assuring members, “My chair is not shaky. First check whether your chair is shaky. Mine is strong and steady.”

When BJP members continued to hint at instability in the current political climate, Siddaramaiah smiled and added, “I know. When there is trouble, it should be mentioned. Now it’s alright.”

Meanwhile, the opposition turned attention to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, teasing him over his gestures in the Legislative Assembly. Former minister and BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar remarked that Shivakumar displayed “too much humility” when he folded his hands towards the opposition benches. He added, quoting a famous Kannada poem, that Shivakumar seemed to be “longing for whether he will get the chair one day.”

Senior BJP MLA S. Suresh Kumar also suggested that political leaders often undergo image makeovers, asking if Shivakumar’s behavior was part of such guidance. Shivakumar responded with a calm smile, declining to engage further in the teasing.

Speaker U.T. Khader intervened to bring focus back to the ongoing discussions, urging members not to deviate from pressing issues concerning North Karnataka.

The episode highlighted the lighter side of legislative proceedings, combining political banter with witty exchanges, while Siddaramaiah maintained his characteristic composure, turning the jibe about his chair into an assertion of stability and authority.