Varuna (Karnataka): Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dropped a bomb after casting his vote in the Karnataka assembly elections on Wednesday. Siddaramaiah said that this election would be the last time he is contesting as a candidate. However, he made it clear that he is not retiring from active politics.
Speaking about voters' response he said, "There is a tremendous response from the voters. Congress will form the government on its own." He also confidently expressed that he will secure 60 percent of the votes. Earlier he went to pray at a temple at Varuna before casting his vote.
In a media interaction earlier in the day Siddaramaiah said that he has been constantly reiterating that Congress will secure more than 130 seats in the state election. The seat count may go up to 150 seats as well, he added. In a subtle attack on the BJP, he said, "I request the voters to vote for the party which works."
The former Chief Minister was taking a jibe at the Bommai government which the Congress describes as the "40 percent Commission Sarkar". The future of this country is involved in this election, he added. Speaking about forming an alliance with its former coalition partner JDS, Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar ruled out such a possibility explaining that Congress will form the state government on its own.
Siddaramaiah was one of the few Chief Ministers to serve at the top position in the state for a full five-year term when the Congress was in power in the state. The Congress veteran wished to contest from Kolar this time as well. However, the party high command chose otherwise. The counting of votes in Karnataka is scheduled on Saturday.
