Mysuru: This is one embarrassing episode Chief Minister Siddaramaiah could have steered cleared of on his home turf: A seemingly friendly conversation with gram panchayat member and local JD (S) leader Mariswamy turned into an argument during the Kuruba strongman’s campaign in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency on Wednesday.
While campaigning at Hale Kesare, Mr Siddaramaiah called out to his friend in Kannada, “Hey Mariswamy you were with me right, come here." Mr Mariswamy however retorted “I am with JD (S) now. I won't come.” In lighter vein, the Chief Minister remarked “Ok don't come, but vote for me", but Mr Mariswamy replied "I will neither come nor vote for you". And when Mr Siddaramaiah tried to end the conversation saying “Ok. Don’t come, go” the gram panchayat member stunned the leader and his supporters saying “you are in our village. You go.”
The CM continued his electioneering with a plea to other villagers: “Let him vote for whomever he wants. You vote for me."
Later JD (S) workers hailed G T Deve Gowda as he crossed path with the Chief Minister in the constituency.
