Mysore/Mysuru: Ahead of  Lok Sabha Polls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited the Suttur Mutt at the foot of Chamundi Hill here this morning and sought the blessings of Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji.

Later speaking to presspersons, Siddaramaiah was highly critical of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that the Karnataka Government only is to be blamed for the delayed submission of memorandum seeking drought relief.

Maintaining that the State Government submitted drought reports to the Centre in October last itself, Siddaramaiah said that he would resign if his statement was false and challenged Shah to quit his post if his remarks were false.

Accusing Shah of repeatedly telling lies, Siddaramaiah said that the State Government in its petition filed in the Supreme Court that seeks to direct the Centre for release of drought relief funds, has submitted all details and correspondence  that took place with the Centre on release of drought relief funds as recommended by the NDRF.

Urging the Centre for immediate release of drought relief funds, he said that the Centre should devolute funds provided to the State in the right earnest.

Reiterating that the BJP was telling and spreading lies, Siddaramaiah appealed the voters to teach the BJP a lesson by voting it out from power at the Centre.

Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha seat Congress candidate M. Lakshmana and other Congress leaders were present.