BENGALURU: The
Congress Legislature Party, which met here on Wednesday, unanimously decided to extend unconditional support to JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy to form the government even as outgoing chief minister
Siddaramaiah spoke emotionally about the party’s poor show in the election.
Siddaramaiah reportedly expressed shock over the party’s drubbing, stating that he didn’t deserve such a verdict after helming a good and stable government.
“This is an unexpected result. My government performed well on all parameters. There was no instability and no major allegations of corruption. We fulfilled all promises made in the manifesto. I didn’t notice anti-incumbency against my government anywhere during my campaign tours. This verdict is shocking,” Siddaramaiah told the MLAs.
He was emotional while referring to his various Bhagya schemes. Some MLAs reportedly consoled him, stating that he had done an efficient job, and elections sometimes throw up such unexpected results.
Six MLAs absentThe absence of six MLAs, including Satish Jarkiholi, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra and BS Anand Singh, led to speculation amid reports of BJP trying to drive a wedge in
Congress and JD(S) camps. Later, Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy clarified that all absentees were in touch with party leaders and en way to Bengaluru.
The meeting did not elect a leader as there was no word from the high command. Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief
G Parameshwara, leaders HK Patil and DK Shivakumar are in the race for the post.