Karnataka Assembly Polls 2018: Badami constituency not yet discussed with Rahul Gandhi, says CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that he had not yet discussed contesting assembly elections from Badami constituency along with Chamundeshwari seat with the Congress high command.

"I have not yet discussed it with the high command (of Congress)," Siddaramaiah said when asked about contesting from Badami. Earlier, the Chief Minister had asserted that decision on Badami will be taken by the Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, Karnataka Energy Minister and Congress leader, DK Shivakumar also asserted the same statement and said that the decision will be taken by the party senior leaders.

As per the first list of candidates released by the Congress party, Siddaramaiah is contesting from Chamundeshwari constituency in the inching Assembly elections.

According to media reports, there is a secret pact between Janta Dal (Secular) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to ensure the defeat of Siddaramaiah and his son Yathindra. Siddaramaiah has already filed nomination papers from the Chamundeshwari seat. But political experts believe that in the changing circumstances, Siddaramaiah is likely to contest from the second seat of Badami in north Karnataka.

It is to be noted that the Congress party has not yet declared any candidate for the Badami constituency. Karnataka will go to polls on May 12 to elect its representatives for the 225-member assembly. The results will be out on May 15. 

(With inputs from ANI)