Davanagere: Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has denied all claims of state party leaders boycotting the by-polls by not taking part in the campaigning activities.
Speaking to ANI, Siddaramaiah said, “The rumours that most Congress leaders are not campaigning for the Karnataka by-polls are not true, all the leaders are campaigning. Why can’t you ask the BJP the same question? Why is only Yediyurappa roaming around? Why are Modi and Amit Shah not campaigning?”
“H K Patil is looking after the Gadag and Davangere districts while V S Ugrappa is also at Davangere. Senior leaders are also campaigning,” he added.
The Legislative Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly further stated that the Congress party’s goal was to win the maximum number of seats in the upcoming by-polls. However, he said that none of them were thinking about forming another government in the state.
Siddaramaiah said, “We have not thought about forming the government again after winning 12 seats. As I said, I don’t want to find any meaning in CM Yediyurappa’s statements. Our main aim is to win at least 12 seats.”
Attacking the Yediyurappa-led government for its failure to provide adequate flood-relief, Siddaramaiah said, “The effect of not visiting the state during the floods will definitely affect the BJP, as has happened in Maharashtra. They did not provide compensation in Maharashtra, which is why they lost there. Most of the North Karnataka BJP candidates will lose for sure.”
As many as 15 Assembly constituencies will go to by-polls on December 5. Counting for the same will be held on December 9.
(with inputs from ANI)