'I.N.D.I.A Bloc May Not Get Absolute Majority, But...': Siddaramaiah's Prediction Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

Siddaramaiah exuded confidence and said that the Congress would win 15-20 seats in Karnataka.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that while the opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A may not get an absolute majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the NDA will not be able to get enough seats either to form the government at the Centre.

Speaking about the Lok Sabha election prospects of the Congress in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah exuded confidence and said that his party would win 15-20 seats in the state.

"INDIA bloc may not get absolute majority, but at the same time, even NDA won’t get absolute majority either. So, INDIA (bloc) may have to depend on Mamata Banerjee from West Bengal, Naveen Patnaik from Odisha, CPI(M) and other political parties," Siddaramaiah said. He added, "In the name of NDA, they are also having an alliance with other political parties. BJP alone has not come to power. They have increased their polling percentage, but it does not mean that BJP alone has come to power".

Speaking to PTI, the Karnataka CM commented not only about the elections but spoke about his own position in the state government. Addressing speculation on whether he would have to give up the chief minister's chair to his deputy D K Shivakumar after two-and-a-half years of the Congress government being in power in Karnataka, he said it would depend on what the party high command decides.

“It all depends on the decision of the high command. If the high command decides that I should continue, I will continue. Otherwise, I will go by the decision of the high command,” Siddaramaiah said. The senior Congress leader also reiterated that he will not stay in electoral politics after four years but will remain active in politics.

Ever since the government came to power in May last year, there has been talk of a change of guard after two-and-a-half years of the current dispensation, whereby Siddaramaiah would have to make way for Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress chief Shivakumar to head the government.