'Cong will win 130-plus seats; no Modi impact'

The former CM said he has already completed touring 8-9 districts and will tour another 22 before January 28

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Mysuru: Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah said the Congress party will win over 130 seats in the coming Assembly polls as the people have decided to reject both the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular).

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, he said the people want a change and they will show it by voting for the Congress. "We are confident of winning more than 130 seats," he said. The former CM said he has already completed touring 8-9 districts and will tour another 22 before January 28.

“The response has been good from the people who have shown love for the Congress party. The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or BJP National President JP Nadda will not have any impact on the voters of Karnataka. Who is Nadda? What has he done for the state?

“Despite a double-engine government, what has Modi done for Karnataka? The people have seen the works done by the previous Congress government and are aware of the number of schemes launched by them. We have done what we promised. People believe us. If we come to power, we will give 200 units of free power and Rs 2,000 per woman who is the head of her family. Whatever promises we make in our election manifesto, we fulfil. We had fulfilled 99 per cent of our promises previously and we will do it in the coming years," he said.

Siddaramaiah exuded confidence that he would win from Kolar despite BJP national general secretary BL Santosh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, PM Modi or party president Nadda coming and campaigning there. Shah had fielded B Sriramulu to contest from Badami instead of BJP candidate Pattanshetty.

"I visited Badami just for two days; one day to file my nomination papers and the second day to beg for votes. The BJP spent crores of rupees to defeat me. Did they win?" he said. The senior Congress leader clarified that the reason for not contesting from Badami this time was not because he would lose but only because of the distance.

The people of Badami have promised to gift him a helicopter, but they want to contest from there. "I am getting old and visiting Badami frequently is quite difficult. So, another constituency is being finalised," he added.