Siddu: May contest from ‘safe-seat’ Varuna
CHITRADURGA: Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday indicated that he might contest from his home constituency of Varuna in Mysuru district in the upcoming Assembly polls.
The Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly also hinted at fighting the elections from two constituencies, including Varuna, like he did in 2018.
Varuna is currently represented by his son Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah.
Siddaramaiah had earlier won twice from Varuna, and even went on to become the Chief Minister after winning from the seat in 2013.
“From many constituencies they (supporters and party workers) are asking.... From 25 constituencies they are asking (me to contest). I cannot contest from all 25 constituencies. There is one opinion at home that I should be contesting from Varuna, so I have said (to the party’s central leadership), clear Varuna, let’s see,” Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “...at home they are saying that I should be contesting from one more constituency, let’s see, I haven’t thought about it.”
The Congress legislature party leader who is nursing chief ministerial ambitions in the event of the party coming to power, and has been looking for a “safe seat”, had announced in January that he would contest from Kolar, reportedly after conducting surveys. He did say, however, that it would be subject to the approval of the party’s central leadership.
Siddaramaiah on Tuesday told a large group of supporters from Kolar who had gathered near his residence here that the Congress high command had asked him not to take even “one percent risk” while choosing a constituency to contest the elections.