The 'Man of the Year 2017' award was presented by the Bangalore Press Club to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and multilingual actor Prakash Rai here on Sunday.
Nirmalanandanatha Swami, head of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, presented the award at a function on the club premises.
After receiving the award, Siddaramaiah said, "Media can analyse my government and criticise it. It will be welcomed."
Rai said, "I have no interest to enter politics, but if there is a challenge by a political force, I will take it up."
''If the challenge is posed to me further, I am ready to enter politics," he announced.