Davangere: Chief Minister Siddharamaiah has said that the Congress leadership would finalise the party candidates for the election by January end.

Speaking to press persons at Channagiri in the district on Saturday, Siddharamaiah said the party would contest all the 224 seats in the 2018 Assembly polls.

Pointing out that the polls are likely to be held in April-May next year, the CM said that the BJP is facing problems in finding right candidates for the elections. Several BJP leaders who have expressed their keenness to join the Congress are in touch with him, he added.

Announcing that the State Budget would be presented in February, the CM said that it was natural for the budget to be termed as an election budget with polls round the corner.

Referring to the KPME Bill, he said that no major changes had been made to the Bill. Stating that doctors were under the impression that there was a provision to jail them for medical negligence, Siddharamaiah maintained that there is no such thing in the Bill.

He further said that the government would consider providing compensation to the families of patients who died due to non-availability of treatment in private hospitals during the doctors strike, if the families come forward and lodge a complaint.

On the Vishva Kannada Sammelana at Davangere, the Chief Minister said the convention was planned in December. Since the Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana is being held in Mysuru from Nov. 24, the World Kannada Convention will be delayed and the date will be announced shortly.