CM mulling to contest from Chamundeshwari constituency

In what appears to be a growing urge in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to return to his old fort Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, the chief minister on Sunday reiterated that he was mulling over contesting next general election from the very constituency.

Siddaramaiah, now represents Varuna constituency for the second consecutive term in the Assembly.

Addressing the gathering while campaigning for zilla and taluk panchayat candidates at Yelwal, on the outskirts of the city, he said, “I am indebted to the voters of Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, who gave a new lease of life (political) to me.”

He appealed to the voters to support the party nominees in the elections scheduled to be held in second phase on February 20. The party has kept its promise by ensuring 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayats, followed by 35 per cent for backward classes and inclusion of SC and STs in reservation fixed for the election to president and vice-president posts in local bodies’.

The chief minister also reiterated that BJP was dreaming of returning to power, while Janata Dal (Secular) had lost its base, with its clout reduced to just three districts in the State.

Launching a tirade against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister said, “Modi is always busy in foreign tours, showing scant concern for the poor. Most of the promises made by Modi are yet to materialise, while there is a cut in Central grants to the State, especially after BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government ascended power at the Centre.”

The chief minister campaigned for ZP candidate from Yelwal seat Arun Kumar and TP candidates Bhagya Lokesh, Mahadev, Geetha Puttanna and Savitha Raghu.