Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah to fight Assembly polls to prove BJP wrong

Mangaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who had declared that he would not contest any more assembly elections a few months ago, made a U-turn on Friday stating he would definitely contest the elections and also revealed the reason for this change of heart.

Mr Siddaramaiah who laid the foundation stone for Congress Bhavan in Mangaluru on Friday said he wanted to prove that the Congress was strong in the state. “Earlier, I had decided not to contest elections. But BJP leaders claim they will achieve ‘Congress Mukt Bharat.’ I will contest the next election to ensure a Congress victory in the state and prove the party is still strong,” he said adding that the victory in the bypolls has already proved that the Congress is popular in Karnataka.

The CM also asked party workers to gear up for the forthcoming gram panchayat elections in the state. “At present the majority of panchayats are ruled by Congress supported candidates. Party workers should work to ensure the Congress emerges strong in the forthcoming election,” he added.