I could become CM only because I joined Congress - Siddaramaiah

Bagalkote, 29 Oct 2018 [Fik/News Sources]: At a time when Congress has entered into alliance with JD(S) in fighting the bypoll for three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies in the state jointly, he launched indirect verbal attack against the coalition partner.

"I became chief minister of Karnataka as I joined Congress party. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi reposed faith in my capacity and made me the chief minister," he remarked, indicating that he would have been continued to be sidelined if he had continued in JD(S).

Siddaramaiah passed this remark when addressing a meeting of representatives of Kuruba community in the backdrop of Jamkhandi assembly bypoll.

"As the chief minister of the state for five years, I implemented various schemes for the welfare of the people in general. Do you think anyone other than me could have risen to become the chief minister from Kuruba community?

“The legislators supported me as everyone wanted me to head the state. I was defeated from Chamundeshwari constituency as my opponents were jealous about my prospects of becoming chief minister again. For defeating me, all and sundry joined hands in that constituency. But people of Badami constituency supported me and reinforced my political existence," he stated.