BENGALURU: CHIEF Minister Siddaramaiah, who is all set to contest from Chamundeshwari constituency, is leaving no stone unturned in the mission to win over his old miffed friends. On his two-day visit to the city, Siddaramaiah made sure that he visited social gatherings of his supporters. He also called on his miffed friends who had parted ways with him for political reasons in the last 15 years and also after the high voltage political battle in Chamundeshwari in 2006.
Aware of JD(S), BJP leaders ganging up against him, he started playing the emotional card and announced that this will be his last election. Siddaramaiah said he wants to end his political career from Chamundeshwari, from where he started his journey in 1983, and say “good bye” to active politics from the same constituency. Knowing that Chamundeshwari is a Vokkaliga-dominated constituency, Siddaramaiah is keen to divide the voters who solidly backed the JD(S) in the previous elections. He surprised everyone by meeting his one-time arch-rival Mavinahalli Sidde Gowda of the JD(S), at his relative’s house. He held talks with him for an hour and told him to join the Congress and support him in the 2018 elections. “We were together in my first election and I want you to be with me in my last election too. I would like to end my political career on a friendly note,” he said.
Both the leaders who met after a long gap recalled their youthful days together, struggle in politics and also the campaigning they carried out in the 1980s. The meeting also brought many of their supporters face to face and it is felt that this will help Siddaramaiah in Jaipura hobli. Siddaramaiah also met leaders from other communities from Harohalli and Maraballi and sought their support. He appealed to them to work for him by giving an assurance that he would focus on the overall development of the constituency.
BJP plans to hit CM’s home turf
Mysuru: BJP leaders have planned to tour the Varuna constituency, represented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, from December 13. This coincides with ‘Janashirvada Yatre’ planned by the CM to tour the state ahead of the general elections to be held in a couple of months. Former corporator M Pradeep Kumar said the tour will be launched from Aralikattehundi village in the same constituency. Villagers have deserted this place due to the absence of basic amenities and migrated to cities.