Mahatma Gandhi wished to live for 125 years, but RSS-BJP killed him, says Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said Mahatma Gandhi wished to live for 125 years, but was shot dead by RSS-BJP.

Participating in film producer and former MLC Sandesh Nagaraj’s 80th birthday celebrations at Dasara Exhibition Grounds in Mysuru on Sunday, Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled that the Mahatma received a letter from his admirer, who wished that Gandhiji lived for 100 years. But, the Mahatma, in reply, had said he found 100 years not enough and desired to live for 125 years, the Chief Minister said.

But, the BJP-RSS killed him, said Mr. Siddaramaiah. “If not, I don’t know for how many more years he would have lived,” he added.

He wished Mr. Sandesh Nagaraj a long life of more than 100 years.

Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled his long association with Mr. Sandesh Nagaraj, dating back to 1975 when they were BSc students. “I was in first year BSc and he was in final year BSc. Even though I did not know him closely then, he was a good Kabaddi player and I used to watch him play,” Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled.

He also traced Mr. Sandesh Nagaraj’s rise from owner of two buses after completing his BSc to starting a hotel and producing films before entering politics.

Even though both of them were mostly in rival parties, Mr. Siddaramaiah said his friendship with Mr. Sandesh Nagaraj has remained unaffected. “He is a friendly man and gives a lot of importance to friendship,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said acknowledging the financial help he had received from Mr. Nagaraj during his elections.