'High Command Haven't Cleared My Name Yet': Siddaramaiah On Reports Of Him Not Contesting From Kolar

Karnataka's former CM Siddaramaiah has been reportedly advised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to contest from the Varuna constituency and not from Kolar

Karnataka former CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah.

Source : ANI file

Days after Congress' Central Election Committee meeting, party leader and former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said that the high commands haven't cleared his name yet after reports of him not contesting from Kolar Assembly Constituency in upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka.

"They (party high command) haven't cleared my name yet. I have said in Kolar that whatever high command decides, I will abide by that," news agency ANI said quoting former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.

They (party high command) haven't cleared my name yet. I have said in Kolar that whatever high command decides, I will abide by that: Karnataka LoP & Congress leader Siddaramaiah on reports of him not contesting from Kolar Assembly Constituency in upcoming Karnataka Elections pic.twitter.com/xbTSfq5dZs

— ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023

According to a report on News18, Karnataka's former CM has been advised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to contest from the Varuna constituency and not from Kolar.

The Congress leader, earlier in January, announced that he has decided to contest for the forthcoming Karnataka Assembly polls from the Kolar constituency. The 75-year-old former chief minister, who was looking for a "safe seat", had been giving indications about choosing Kolar for some time now, by holding a series of meetings with party leaders from the district.

As reported earlier, Congress leaders and workers from Kolar have been exerting pressure on the Congress Legislature Party leader to contest from there. Siddaramaiah had received similar requests from Varuna, Badami, Hebbal, Koppal and Chamrajpet segments among others. The Congress Legislature Party Leader's earlier visit to Kolar in November and his cryptic statement about coming back to the constituency during the filing of nomination, had led to speculation that he may contest the 2023 assembly election from Kolar.

Siddaramaiah, who represents the Badami constituency of Bagalkote district in northern Karnataka, had indicated that he may not contest from there, citing his inability to give more time for people and party workers of the constituency.