Defeat was shocking, didn’t deserve such a drubbing: Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Outgoing Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah reportedly expressed shock on Wednesday over Congress’s drubbing, saying he didn’t deserve such a verdict after helming a good and stable government. Siddaramaiah got emotional at the meeting of the Congress Legislature Party while referring to his various Bhagya schemes, including Anna Bhagya.

He reportedly told the newly-elected MLAs, “This is an unexpected result. My government performed well on all parameters. There was no instability and no major allegations of corruption. Moreover, I didn’t notice anti-incumbency against my government anywhere during my campaign tours. This verdict is shocking.”

Some MLAs consoled him, stating that he had done an efficient job and that elections sometimes throw up such unexpected results.


The CLP unanimously decided to extend unconditional support to JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy to form the government.

The absence of six MLAs, including Satish Jarkiholi, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra and BS Anand Singh, led to speculation amid news of BJP trying to drive a wedge in Congress and JD(S) camps. Later, Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy clarified that all absentee MLAs are in touch with party leaders. The meeting did not elect its leader as there was no word from the party high command. Siddaramaiah, KPCC president G Parameshwara and HK Patil and DK Shivakumar are in the race for the post.