Karnataka Assembly Elections 2018: Haven’t Discussed With Congress High Command About Contesting From Badami as Well, Says Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Badami is considered a safer seat than Chamundeshwari.

New Delhi, April 21: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Saturday that he had not yet discussed with Congress high command about contesting from Badami along with Chamundeshwari seat. Speculations have been rife over Siddaramaiah contesting from Badami as well ever since he filed his papers from Chamundeshwari. The incumbent Chief Minister has held the Varuna seat since 2008 which has gone to his son Yatheendra.

In Chamundeshwari, Siddaramaiah is pitted against GT Deve Gowda of JD(S), a friend-turned-rival, who would be defending the seat. From Chamundeshwari, Siddaramaiah has won five times since 1983. In 2006 by-poll, he won from there with a very small margin (of 250 votes), so after delimitation in 2008, it was only natural for Siddaramaiah to shift to Varuna since most of his supporters were now part of that constituency. He has won from Varuna in 2008 and 2013. Badami as Plan B may be a good idea for Siddaramaiah because wresting Chamundeshwari from JD(S) may well be a tough task for him though media reports suggest his choice is meant to send out a message of confidence on the part of the Congress heavyweight.

Media reports also suggest that there may be an understanding between the JD(S) and the BJP to have Siddaramaiah lose from there. Chamundeshwari is the hilltop Goddess believed to preside over Mysuru.

Coming back to power in Karnataka is a matter of prestige for the Congress as this is the second major state the party is in power, after Punjab. Meanwhile, the BJP has gone all out with its campaign in its rally with the party’s national president Amit Shah traversing the length and breadth of the state.