Daijiworld Media Network – Badami (EP)

Badami, Jun 7: Former chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah visited Badami Assembly constituency for the first time on June 7 after his election victory.

Speaking to news reporters after offering special pooja at Banashankari temple near Badami town, he assured that the Congress party has neither ignored him nor his supporters. “Representation in the cabinet was not based on personal choices. Some of my close aides have been included in the cabinet. Party has taken decisions based on many factors,” he said.

“The six berths that are remaining will be filled on the basis of region, caste and social justice. Assumption that the Congress party has surrendered to JD(S) is not correct. The party did not want communal forces to come to power. Therefore, it joined hands with JD(S),” he added.

“Congress party has a long and rich heritage and nobody can destroy it,” he said.

Siddaramaiah declined to comment on the question if KPCC working president S R Patil was annoyed with him.

He assured that Badami constituency will be developed in next five years.

S R Patil did not accompany him during his visit.

Siddaramaiah visited family members of Rajappa Jalageri, farmer who committed suicide on May 25 as Jammanakatti village, Badami. He handed over Rajappa's wife Ambavva a cheque for Rs 5 lacs from the government and Rs 1 lac from his personal funds.

Though Siddaramaiah contested from Badami and Chamundeshwari in Mysuru, he lost to JD(S) party's G T Deve Gowda by a margin of over 36,042 votes in Chamundeshwari and but won by defeating BJP's Sriramulu by a margin of 1696 votes in Badami.