Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddharamaiah said that the 2018 Assembly polls will be the last election he will contest in his lifetime. Addressing a party workers convention in Hootagalli, Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency yesterday, the Chief Minister said that he had reserved the last election of his life to the constituency which gave him a political rebirth.

Pointing out that he had to shift to neighbouring Varuna constituency after the delimitation of constituencies, he said that he successfully contested in 2008 and 2013 from Varuna to become the CM in 2013. But has vowed to bring the Congress back to power in the State in the 2018 Assembly polls by contesting from Chamundeshwari constituency, he said.

Asserting that he can never forget the voters of Chamundeshwari constituency who stood by him during the 2006 by-elections, he lashed out at the BJP and its leader B.S. Yeddyurappa for their alleged corruption when in power.

Terming the JD(S) leaders as opportunists, he said that the JD(S) was hoping for a hung Assembly to enter into an alliance post the 2018 polls. But their desire will not fructify as the Congress will come to power, he maintained. Stating that he is happy to get back to his ‘Karmabhoomi’  — Chamundeshari Assembly constituency — Siddharamaiah reiterated that because of the 2006 by-poll win, he could get a political rebirth and become the CM.

He attacked the BJP saying that former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa was indulging in political gimmick by having breakfast with Dalits. Claiming that the Congress Government had walked the talk and delivered on its poll promises, he said that as many as 155 of the 165 assurances made ahead of the polls have been implemented. Lashing out at Yeddyurappa for levelling corruption charges against him, the CM dared him to release documents to prove his charges.

Playing the emotional card, Siddharamaiah reiterated that he will contest his last election from Chamundeshwari constituency in 2018. He would not go back on his words and would contest the 2018 polls on insistence of the Congress High Command to lead the party to victory, he said.

Listing out development works of his Government, he said that Indira Canteens will be opened at all district centres on Jan.1.

Dist. Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, MLC R. Dharmasena, former MLA M. Satyanarayan, MUDA Chairman D. Dhruvakumar, leader Dr. Yatindra Siddharamaiah and former ZP President K. Marigowda were present.