Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's office confirmed on Saturday that he will be contesting from two constituencies in the State Assembly elections.
After earlier confirming his candidature from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru, he is now set to contest from Badami constituency in Bagalkot district as well.
He will be filing his second set of nomination papers on April 23 and it comes on the back of much deliberation as Siddaramaiah was initially reluctant to contest from a second seat
“A lot of leaders from North Karnataka including MB Patil, SR Patil and HY Meti all requested me to contest from a constituency in one of the northern districts. Since the leaders wished it, I have conveyed the same to the high command. Whatever the high command decides, I will abide by it,” Siddaramaiah had said on Friday when initial reports of the decision emerged.
The decision was confirmed on Saturday and it comes amid reports that BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa will also be contesting from Badami himself. While there is no confirmation yet, sources in the BJP told TNM that party president Amit Shah had floated the idea of Yeddyurappa contesting from two constituencies.
This could set up a straight fight between the two Chief Ministerial candidates in Badami. The BJP is yet to confirm its candidate from Badami. It is one of only 11 constituencies where the party is yet to confirm a candidate.
Badami has a population of over 50,000, many of whom belong to the Kuruba community — the same as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The region also has a high population of Veerashaivas and Lingayats.
The BJP took jibes at the CM's decision to contest from two seats.
We don't want to Question anything to Congress we have answers for following questions 1) Sri Siddarammaiya Contesting from Chamundeshwari and Badami , 2) Minister Sri M R Seetharam refusing to Contest 3) Actor Sri Ambarish has no belief left on Congress .All Anticipating Defeat
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSBJP) April 21, 2018