On Becoming Chief Minister Again, Siddaramaiah Says 'Let's See' In Next Polls

"Let's see if there are blessings of the people in the next elections," was senior Congress leader and former Karanataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's refrain on Friday when asked if he wants to become Karnataka chief minister again even though he asserted he has no such "greed".

The head of the Congress-JD(S) coalition coordination committee also accused state BJP chief and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa of being "greedy" to become Chief Minister once again, as he was growing old.

"... Am I going on claiming that I will become Chief Minister (like Yeddyurappa)... have I said that? That question does not arise at all at this stage... Let's see if there are blessings of the people in the next election," he said in response to a question about his aspiration to become chief minister again.

Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, he said, "... If people bless in the next assembly election, let's see it then..."

Noting that he contested the recent assembly polls on the insistence of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Congress legislature party leader said there are no such thoughts in his mind as of now.

"I had got an opportunity to become Chief Minister for five years, we have run a government that has walked its talk, and we have fulfilled the promises made to the people. I have that contentment. I don't have the greed to keep on becoming the chief minister," he added.

Ahead of the May 12 assembly polls, Siddaramaiah had indicated that it could "most likely" be his last election.

Earlier during the 2013 assembly polls also he had said it was his last election.

Chiding the BJP for its claims that the coalition government would not last long, Siddaramaiah claimed Yeddyurappa has greed, and somehow wants to become chief minister, but his desire would not get fulfilled.

"As Yeddyurappa is growing old, he some how wants to become the Chief Minister before the Lok Sabha election, so various kinds of exercises are going on, but their (BJP) attempts will not succeed and this government will not fall, it is stable," he said.

Asserting that results of November 3 bypoll for two assembly and three Lok Sabha segments would have nothing to do with the longevity of the coalition government, he said it was formed to keep the BJP away from power and as the mandate was not clear in favour of any political party in the May polls.

Asked whether the Congress was 'A team' or 'B team' in the coalition government, Siddaramaiah said there is no A or B team.

"We are a national party and JD(S) is regional party."

PTI