Mysuru, 28 March

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday asserted that there was no link between the by-election results and the Chief Minister’s post. He claimed he would complete his full five-year term in office with the blessings of the Congress High Command.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Mysuru city, Siddaramaiah said he had already clarified during a debate in the just-concluded Assembly Session that he would present two more Budgets and go on to complete his full five years in office if the High Command so desired.   

He claimed that Congress would retain Davangere South and Bagalkot assembly segments in the ensuing by-polls. He, however, dismissed speculations that the outcome of the by-polls would have any political implications.

Siddaramaiah said the bypoll results are not a political referendum.

“Ours is a High Command party. We will abide by whatever the High Command decides,” he said when asked about the talks of leadership change.

Siddaramaiah said he would kick off his campaign for the bypolls from 30-31 March in Bagalkot, followed by Davanagere South on 1-2 April.

He added that he would help the Congress campaign in Kerala, but not in Tamil Nadu.