No modi factor in K’taka polls, says Siddaramaiah, expects Muslims to back Cong with tactical voting

Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said “Modi factor” would not have an impact in the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls and expects Muslims to solidly back his party by opting for tactical voting.

In an interview with PTI, the former Chief Minister also said the polls would be mainly fought on local issues and insisted a victory in the southern state would serve as a stepping stone for the Congress in national politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The 75-year-old Leader of Opposition, who reiterated this will be his last electoral battle, said he expects 90 per cent of Muslim voters to back the Congress. The ruling BJP is facing strong anti-incumbency.