Former CM Siddaramaiah declares he’ll contest Assembly poll from Kolar seat

KOLAR: Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday announced that he will contest the upcoming Assembly election from Kolar constituency.

In the last Assembly election, Siddaramaiah contested from Badami and his son Yathindra Siddaramaiah contested from Varuna and won the elections. There was much speculation about whether he will contest the next election from Varuna or Kolar. Siddaramaiah made the announcement at the Kolar Congress workers’ meeting, but added that his contesting from Kolar is subject to the high command’s approval.

Siddaranmaiah speaking to the media after announcing that he will contest the Assembly polls from Kolar constituency.

Speaking at a meeting of Kolar Congress workers, he said, “Many people sarcastically say that I do not have any constituency and that I am still searching for one. Despite the demand for me in Varuna constituency, sitting Kolar MLA Srinivas Gowda is ready to give up his seat for me. So, I have decided to contest from here”.

“I have decided to contest from here, but it is subject to the high command’s decision. If they ask me to contest from here, I will definitely do so. The sitting MLA has voluntarily requested that I contest from this constituency. The people of Kolar constituency love me and they have also requested that I contest from here. Since I do not wanted to disappoint them, I have decided to contest from this constituency.  There is no groupism, but there is difference of opinion as it is a character of democracy”, he added.