Mysuru: Former Union minister V Srinivasprasad on Friday threw a challenge to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over whether the Kuruba strongman will step down in case the Congress candidate bites the dust in next month's Assembly by-poll. Nanjangud will go to polls on April 9.
"I will retire from politics if I lose the Nanjangud bypolls, will you (Mr Siddaramaiah) resign from your post (of Chief Minister) if the Congress loses?" was Mr Srinivas Prasad's challenge during a chat with mediapersons here after participating in World Kidney Day programme hosted by JSS hospital, here.
Besides, he countered Mr Siddaramaiah's statement that the outcome of by-elections would not be an indication of results of next year's elections to the Legislative Assembly. "I am not a teacher at a deaf and dumb school. Mine is a challenge, and his is escapism," he added.
Mr Prasad, who will contest from Nanjangud constituency on BJP ticket, said, "There are fears of the state government misusing its administrative machinery for the by-elections. In the past during the Chamundeswari by election, it had happened. If the same thing repeats even now, it will be brought to the notice of the Election Commission."
