Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he will support the candidature of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice-president Rahul Gandhi if the latter decides to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from Karnataka.

Speaking to the media here, Siddaramaiah said being a leader of repute, Rahul Gandhi can contest from any part of the country. Mysore and Kodagu Lok Sabha member A H Vishwanath who was accompanying Siddaramaiah, sprung a surprise saying, “News is in the air about Rahul contesting from Mysore and Kodagu seat. If it turns to be true, I will pave way for Rahul and will work for his victory.”

Bande condoled

The chief minister condoled the death of Gulbarga Bazaar police station SI Mallikarjun Bande who succumbed to bullet injuries suffered during exchange of fire with anti-social elements. 

“The government had decided to airlift Bande for treatment abroad. But the doctors treating him were apprehensive, since he was in coma,” he said. Home Minister K J George will represent the State government at the last rites of Bande.