Ramesh Kumar has said that Siddaramaiah had the rare opportunity to become the Chief Minister, a position that remained elusive for several top leaders from this region despite their political influence. He was speaking at the 79th birthday celebrations of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, titled ‘Sri Siddaramaiah-79: The Political March’, organised at the City Congress Office yesterday. Recalling the political history of the State, Ramesh Kumar said veteran leaders such as Tulasidas Dasappa, former Mysore Lok Sabha MP and Union Minister of State and N. Rachaiah, former Minister, were among those who aspired to become Chief Minister, but fate did not favour them.