Did you know how much Siddaramaiah spent when he contested the elections way back in 1984? It was Rs 63,000, a meagre amount when compared to the poll expenditure in a changed scenario today, where you need to spend crores of rupees.
Participating in the valedictory of a programme organised by Sama Samaja Vedike and Kannada Jana Jagruth Sangha in the wake of 40 years of his political life, Siddaramaiah said ‘even the money (Rs 63,000) was the generous contribution from the people.
As he didn’t have even a pie in his pocket, he had to go village to village to raise funds for his poll expenditure, recalled Siddaramaiah.
Going down memory lane, Siddaramaiah said ‘smoking too has left a scar in his life’. A group of people came to meet him once at his house.
Siddaramaiah puffing a cigarrete gave a patient hearing to them. It didn’t go down well with the people, who after going to their village spread canards about Siddaramaiah obviously taking exception to his very behaviour. Not only that, they decided not to support him in the polls and it continues even till today.
It was in the year 1971-72, Siddaramaiah made his political debut due to his association with Prof M D Nanjunda Swamy popular as Prof MDN among his acolytes. Siddaramaiah was still a student at Sarada Vilas Law College when he jumped into movements. He also successfully contested the maiden polls to Taluk Board in the year 1978.
However, he could not continue with his winning streak in the parliamentary polls in the year 1980.
He contested the elections according to the wishes of George Fernandes, only to lose the polls securing 18,000 votes.
Said Siddaramaiah; politics of then and now has huge differences.
“I entered politics with the only aim of eradicating untouchability and casteism, propagating values and principles. However, both (values and principles) have become nonentities with people claiming innocence”, lamented Siddaramaiah.
Siddaramaiah didn’t forget to say that his father was a stingy who had once lost the elections to gram panchayat.
When his father learnt of Siddaramaiah’s plans to enter politics, he had dissuaded him.