Nothing wrong in Siddaramaiah contesting from 2 seats, claims Kharge
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said today there was nothing wrong in Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah contesting from two constituencies in the May 12 assembly polls, and expressed confidence he will win both the seats. To build Siddaramaiah's case, Kharge recalled even Prime Minister Narendra Modi contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from two seats - Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Vadodara in Gujarat.
Siddaramaiah likely to file his nomination from Badami on Tuesday
Kharge termed the reported fears about Siddaramaiah losing from Chamundeshwari seat in Mysuru as BJP's "false propaganda." The Karnataka chief minister is likely to file his nomination from Badami in north Karnataka on Tuesday. "He can contest (from two constituencies). What is wrong in that? This is the high command's decision. People in Badami wanted him to contest from there also," said Kharge.
'Didn't Modi contest from two constituencies?' asked Kharge
"Didn't Modi contest from two constituencies? Did any question arise then," the Congress floor leader in Lok Sabha, Kharge, asked. Siddaramaiah has filed his nomination papers from Chamundeshwari. He has said he was under pressure from party leaders in Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts to contest from Badami, but he would leave the final decision to the Congress "high command".
Siddaramaiah has won five times and defeated twice in Chamundeshwari
Kharge said "circumstances" have forced the Karnataka chief minister to contest from two constituencies. Badami has a strong presence of Kuruba community, to which Siddaramaiah belongs. The constituency is seen as a safer option for him as reports have suggested the battle on Chamundeshwari seat will not be easy for the chief minister. Siddaramaiah has won five times and defeated twice in Chamundeshwari.
Siddaramaiah replaced Devraj Patil from Badami in final list
Asked whether Siddaramaiah's candidature from Badami was an after-thought, as another candidate's name was announced in the first list, Kharge said changes happen in all parties. In the second and final list announced today, Siddaramaiah replaced Devraj Patil from Badami. Patil's name was there in the first list announced on April 15. But the issuance of the "B-form" to him was put on hold.
