CM downplays Cong's dismal showing in Assembly polls

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday downplayed Congress’ poor showing in the Assembly elections held in five states saying that the party's performance was not as per the expectations but it won more seats than the BJP.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in the city, Siddaramaiah said, “The BJP won 65 Assembly seats across the five states whereas Congress won 115 seats.”

On party's loss in Assam, the chief minister said, “There is nothing unusual about the people of Assam voting for a change as Congress had ruled there from the last 15 years.” Siddaramaiah said that the BJP won only one seat in Kerala and drew blank in Tamil Nadu despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the election rallies in these states. He clarified that these results will not have any bearing on the state politics.

Speaking about the appointment of Lokayukta, Siddaramaiah said the state government had earlier recommended Justice S R Nayak’s name for Lokayukta post, which the Governor had turned down.