Talk on heavyweights’ poll attempts lightens up mood in Karnataka Assembly

A discussion about the seniority of heavyweights across party lines lightened the atmosphere in the Assembly on Wednesday, as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recalled his multiple electoral battles and clarified that he wouldn’t enter national politics.

The banter began as the chief minister asserted his seniority by stating that he was a nine-time MLA, and that his deputy D K Shivakumar had won eight times. 

When Leader of the Opposition (LoP) R Ashoka reminded Siddaramaiah that even Shivakumar had contested nine times and won eight times, the CM shot back, “That way, I have stood for 13 elections. I lost twice each in the Lok Sabha and the Assembly polls”.

When Ashoka taunted Siddaramaiah that he should try his luck again in Lok Sabha elections, the CM continued the banter and wondered whether Ashoka wanted to send him out of the state.

“Some five years ago, you had told me that you had a desire to go to Parliament and speak. That’s why I reminded you,” the LoP said.

Reacting to this, the chief minister said: “Earlier I had that desire to go to Parliament. Now it’s not there. People have rejected me twice in the Lok Sabha (1980 and 1991) elections. After that, I gave up the desire.” “Even I won’t go, sir,” Ashoka responded.