BJP leader says Siddaramaiah himself to blame for defeat

Mysuru: BJP MLC A H Vishwanath has said former chief minister Siddaramaiah himself was responsible for his defeat in Chamundeshwari constituency. The MLC was reacting to the Siddaramaiah's allegation that besides his own party workers, BJP and JD (S) were responsible for his defeat in the last elections.

"BJP and JD (S) were rival contestants in the previous Assembly elections. Then how can they enter into an understanding? Mr Siddaramaiah's own arrogance was the reason for his defeat in Chamundeshwari," he said.

He said, "When JD (S) expelled him, who consoled Siddaramaiah at a leader's house at Konankunte in Bengaluru? Though he got Mr Siddaramaiah inducted into the Congress he ditched me and, he is now realizing the pain of being ditched by his own party members. He has no gratitude for those who helped him. He tried to divide Veerashaiva and Lingayat communities, and all these led to his defeat."

While there was allegation that he led JD (S) and Congress leaders (during operation lotus), Mr Siddaramaiah himself stated that Mr Kumarswamy was the reason for it and freed him from the taint. "I thank him for that," he said.