Karnataka CM will be changed after Bihar poll results: Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday reiterated his claims that the ruling BJP will change its Chief Minister in Karnataka after the Bihar assembly poll results are out on November 10.

The statement has come days after Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had rubbished similar claims by Siddaramaiah terming it “irresponsible” and had even said the latter will be removed as leader of opposition by the Congress, following the party’s defeat in bypolls to two assembly segments in the State.

“I have information that after Bihar election results on November 10, there will be a change. Talks have been going on for long- to change,” Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, he said there are two to three factions in BJP and talks are on for the last six months to change.

“The information that I have is that the central leadership is also eager to change as there is rampant corruption in this government,” he added.

Siddaramaiah had earlier too said that Yediyurappa will be removed as the CM after the by-poll results on November 10, and had based this claim on information from sources in Delhi.

Despite State BJP denying it, speculations about a possible change in leadership in the future, considering Yediyurappas age (77 years), refuses to die down, with some within the party like MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal giving credence to it with their statements.

Not giving much credence to exit polls predicting victory for BJP in both Sira and RR Nagar assembly segments for which by-elections were held on November 3, Siddaramaiah said while the ruling party campaigned by distributing money, his party had gone to the people and hence was confident of winning both seats.

“Exit polls have said that BJP will win both seats, I’m not sure on what basis they (pollsters) have said it. I had personally campaigned four days each in both constituencies. In my opinion, the liking of the people was towards Congress. I’m confident that we will win both seats,” he said.

Exit polls have indicated that BJP will sweep RR Nagar, Sira bypolls.

He, however, said exit polls predicting RJD led Mahagathbandhan winning Bihar polls was on expected lines, as people there wanted change, there was a strong anti-incumbency against Nitish Kumar-led NDA government with unemployed youth and migrant labourers not happy with the current administration.

Siddaramaiah also hit out at BJP government for the arrest of Congress leader and former Minister Vinay Kulkarni by CBI in a murder case, terming it ”politically motivated,” and alleged that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s pressure led to the arrest.