Siddaramaiah alleges internal understanding between BJP and JD(S) in Varuna, but expresses confidence of his victory by huge margin

Bringing back memories of 2018 when Congress had described Janata Dal (Secular) as “B team” of the BJP, Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the two of entering into an “internal understanding” in Varuna assembly constituency with a view to defeating him in the coming elections.

Bringing back memories of 2018 when the Congress had described the Janata Dal (Secular) as “B team” of the BJP, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the two of entering into an “internal understanding” in Varuna Assembly constituency with a view to defeat him in the coming elections.

Addressing a large gathering of his supporters at Goluru circle on the outskirts of Nanjangud before proceeding to file nomination papers as Congress candidate for Varuna on Wednesday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the JD(S) has fielded Bharathi Shankar, former BJP MLA, who had earlier represented T. Narsipura (reserved) Assembly segment to “divide Dalit votes” while the BJP has fielded Housing Minister V. Somanna, a resident of Bengaluru.

“The BJP is gripped by fear due to the love and admiration showered upon me by the people of the State,” he said while adding that the party had entered into an internal understanding with the JD(S) determined to defeat him.

Mr. Siddaramaiah had earlier also accused the BJP and the JD(S) of having an internal understanding in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency in 2018 elections when he was defeated by JD(S) candidate G.T. Deve Gowda.

However, Mr. Siddaramaiah expressed confidence that the voters of Varuna will see through the “conspiracy” of the BJP and JD(S) this time and hand out a comprehensive defeat to their candidates. “I have faith that you will elect me with a huge margin,” he said.

Contending that he was a native of Varuna as his birthplace Siddaramanahundi was part of the constituency, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he had won from the constituency in 2008 and 2013 by a margin of more than 30,000 votes while his son Yathindra had won by a lead of more than 59,000 votes during 2018.

He appealed to the voters of Varuna to elect him from the constituency with a margin of more than 1 lakh votes this time. He said he may not be able to campaign much in the constituency due to his preoccupation in the rest of the State. He said he would come for campaign for only two days and and called upon the voters of the constituency to consider themselves as the Congress candidates and give strength to the party.