BENGALURU: A close confidante of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister of Energy K.J. Reacting to news of George's threat to resign, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said "It is false" and added "George has not resigned." When George learnt about the Chief Minister contemplating on initiating action against Pankaj, George is said to have expressed his displeasure and wished to step down. “Why should I remain in the post if the CM office directly initiated action (against Pankaj)?” George reportedly told some officials of his ministry. In a bid to console agitated George, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made his Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna to meet George and convince him to refrain from tendering resignation.