KTK CM reverses his plans, to contest 2018 Assembly polls

Contrary to his earlier plans, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said he will be contesting the next Assembly elections in 2018 and lead the Congress party from the front.

Replying to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address in the Assembly, he said looking at the present day politics he had decided not to contest next polls, but as BJP has vowed to make India Congress free, "I have changed my stand and decided to contest next Assembly elections also."

He said his government had completed two years in office and "our party will complete the term under my leadership, and I will see to it that our party will come to power once again in 2018."

We will not allow BJP to come to power, he added.

Responding to BJP's statements about some Congress Ministers talking about giving Chief Ministership to a dalit, Siddaramaiah said, "I am aware about the intentions within a section of the party that there should be a dalit Chief Minister, I share their wish."
Congress was the only party in this country where people belonging to different background are given equal opportunity, he said.

"Ours is the only party that represents and stands for social justice," Siddaramaiah added.

Taking strong exception on the opposition's allegation about his involvement in the 'Arkavathi layout land denotification' in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah asserted he has not committed anything wrong and has not denotified any land wrongly.

He said government has constituted a Judicial Commission headed by retired Judge Kempanna on the issue and all the documents have been placed before it and the truth will come out very soon.

"My conscience is very clear... I have not indulged in corruption in my political career of more than 35 years. I am open for any probe by any investigating agency," Siddaramaiah said.