Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday went a step further to assert himself. He declared that he would continue as the chief minister post-2018 assembly elections too.

Siddaramaiah, after the leading the party to victory in the bypolls to Gundlupet and Nanjungud, had said that he would contest the next elections to thwart the BJP coming to power. Later he said he would lead the party to the polls. And, now he has said he would be the next chief minister.

AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh in Hubballi on Tuesday had said that Siddaramaiah would lead the party but the MLAs in the Congress legislature party meeting would decide the next chief minister. State party president G Parameshwara had often said that the party believes in collective leadership and the high command would take all important decisions.

Siddaramaiah, who laid foundation for a programme to supply drinking water to 110 villages under the BBMP limits, said if he remains as the chief minister from next year, then his focus would be on reviving the Garden City, Bengaluru.

He said people have a perception that Bengaluru is a garbage city. However, after he became chief minister, he has given priority to garbage disposal and been releasing necessary funds for the same. If he continued in power, then he would revive the charm of old Bengaluru. For this to happen, the people should support him, he added.

'We kept promises'
Taking a dig at the BJP, the chief minister said that he was constantly being targeted during the bypolls in the Nanjangud and Gundlupet constituencies. "People have taught them ( BJP) a lesson. I never criticize or target anyone. And I do not follow Gujarat/ Uttar Pradesh model. My focus has always been development of Karnataka  and that is the only path I follow,"  he said and called himself ' Maatu Thappada Maga' (meaning one who has kept the promises).      

He also added that his government works for all sections of society and not just Ahinda (minorities, backward classes and Dalits) communities  as slammed by few.

In what seemed like a pre-election campaign, CM announced a gathering of 10,000 people at KR Puram about his budget components such as Indira canteen at each of the 198 wards, allocation for garbage disposal, one lakh homes for slum dwellers in Bengaluru City and other slew of assurances.