Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 23: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday declared in the Assembly that though he will not be in the race for the chief minister’s post in the 2028 elections, the Congress party’s return to power is certain.

Responding to BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal’s remark that Congress votes would shift to opposition parties if Siddaramaiah is not in the CM race, he said, “I will not be contesting for the CM’s post again. But under no circumstances will our votes go to you (opposition parties). You are anti-Dalit, anti-OBC, and anti-minority. Even if BJP and JD(S) come together, Congress will not come down from 141 seats. Therefore, neither BJP, JD(S), nor expelled BJP leader Basanagouda Yatnal will come to power in the next elections.”

Countering this, Yatnal said, “You call me expelled, but even Deve Gowda had once expelled you. Later, you became chief minister. I too will become CM. This is your last term, and you yourself have admitted you won’t be CM again. So, with your votes, I will become chief minister,” he quipped.

Leader of Opposition R Ashok asserted, “If the Congress government continues with its anti-people policies, we will definitely win 175 seats.”

JD(S) leader Suresh Babu asked, “If there is no majority, won’t you seek our support?”

Replying, Siddaramaiah remarked, “From the time you joined hands with the BJP, you have become untouchable in a way. You have no ideology. I was once the president of JD(S), and under my leadership, we won 59 seats. Today, you are down to 18, and next time you may win only 2 or 3. You might as well merge with the BJP. Give that advice to Deve Gowda,” he jibed.

He reiterated that in the 2028 Assembly elections, it will be the Congress that will once again form the government. “This is 100% certain. But I will not be the chief minister. As for JD(S), winning 2–3 seats will be an achievement. It is better if the party merges with the BJP,” Siddaramaiah mocked.