CM Siddaramaiah says many BJP MLAs are in touch with him

MYSURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said many BJP MLAs are in touch with him to join the Congress.
Refusing to name the MLAs and their constituencies, he said these details cannot be shared and they are looking into the trend and opinion of people of their constituencies.

Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, he said former minister Umesh Katti is a good friend. “We knew each other for many years, but he has not expressed his wish to join the Congress,” the Chief Minister said.

He said they will decide on admitting BJP MLAs to the Congress considering their winnability.
“People of Gujarat have made up their mind to go for a change and trends are in favor of the Congress . As I have not toured or campaigned in Gujarat, I cannot confidently predict results,” he added.

Asked about Union Minister Sadananda Gowda predicting that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will face tough challenges in Varuna, he said one cannot predict the mood of people. “If he is so confident, let him ( Sadananda Gowda) contest the polls in Varuna,” he added.

Siddaramaiah said he will start his state tour from December 13 to tell people about development and performances of his government in the past four years.  

He said MP Pratap Simha has been advised to change his body language and attitude should be changed as he his too young. Asked about the arrest of journalist Ravi Belegere, Siddaramaih said he has no details about the arrrest or the issue.

“The police have acted  as per the leads and evidences they have and it is nothing to do with the government,” he said.

Siddaramaiah to contest from Chamundeshwari

Mysore: Putting an end to the speculation that he might contest from North Karnataka, CM Siddaramaiah said he has decided to fight his last election from Chamundeshwari constituency that has given him political rebirth.He received petitions from public at Elawala on the outskirts of Mysuru city and said his wish is to develop Chamundeshwari constituency with basic facilities.

He said major development works, including irrigation works, have been completed by his government and it launched many welfare programmes in the past four years. Siddaramaiah said all villages in Chamundeshwari and in Mysuru district have been provided with KRS and Kabini waters. He said honest efforts were made to develop Chamundeshwari constituency from 1983 and funds have been released to community halls and  development of roads. Announcing that it will be his last election, he appealed to people to bless him in 2018.