Zero anti-incumbency in Karnataka: Siddaramaiah ›

We don’t hate Hindi or English... But Kannada should have the pride of place in Karnataka SIDDARAMAIAH, Karnataka chief minister

BENGALURU: There is “absolutely no anti-incumbency” in Karnataka, chief minister Siddaramaiah said in an interview to Hindustan Times, stressing that he would retain power in this year’s assembly elections because his government had “fulfilled all its promises” and because there were “no corruption charges” against it.

The Congress CM said he was confident the party would be able to counter the popularity of PM Narendra Modi because the people would “compare the achievements of the state government with those of the Centre”.

“Karnataka is a different state. Voters are mature here. They know what decisions to take… The people of Karnataka are happy with us. There is absolutely no anti-incumbency,” Siddaramaiah said.

In a wide-ranging interview, the chief minister defended invoking Kannada pride by asking for a separate flag for the state, making Kannada compulsory in schools, and removing Hindi signs from metro stations. “It doesn’t mean that we hate Hindi or English... But Kannada should have the pride of place in Karnataka. It is the paramount language... I am a Kannadiga. It’s my commitment,” he said.

Asked if the BJP announcing that it will not have any pre-poll alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) will affect the Congress game plan, Siddaramaiah said that his party, too, would not be part of any pre-poll arrangement.

NAGA BODY AND CIVIL SOCIETY MEMBERS HAD URGED THE EC TO DEFER POLLS UNTIL A SOLUTION WAS FOUND TO THE INTEGRATION ISSUE