Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah Tuesday termed the growing clamour within his party to make him chief minister once again as an expression of supporters' "affection", but said he still stands by his word about not contesting the next assembly polls.
The Congress Legislature party Leader said he saw nothing wrong in the demand being made by his supporters.
"I have made it very very clear that the chief minister's post is not vacant now (hence no question about me becoming CM). What our people are saying is, after next election I should become chief minister once again," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, he said, "Is there anything that I should not become (Chief Minister) if people give their blessings? Where is that I should not become, if people bless our party?"
He also blamed the media for making it a big issue and said, "Where have I said, I will become CM?"
"I will discuss it in the coordination committee meeting, there ends the matter."