Bommai Confident of BJP Win in Shiggaon By-Election
By : Gururaj A Paniyadi
Update: 2024-07-06 14:58 GMT
Haveri: Haveri MP and Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has expressed strong confidence in securing a victory in the upcoming Shiggaon by-election, aiming to overturn the BJP's trailing in the Shiggaon assembly segment during the recent Parliament election.
Bommai, who has represented the Shiggaon Assembly constituency since 2008, recently won the Haveri parliament seat, necessitating the by-election.
While Congress aims to wrest the seat from the BJP, the BJP is determined to retain it despite the Congress party's lead of 8,598 votes in the Lok Sabha election.
Addressing reporters on Saturday, Bommai reassured his supporters: "Our trailing in the Shiggaon assembly segment during the parliamentary election is temporary. I will set it right. In the last assembly election (in 2023), I won with a margin of 36,000 votes. We will achieve a similar victory in the by-election."
Bommai highlighted that during the recent core committee meeting, a committee led by the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashok, was formed to conduct surveys and decide on the candidate.
"The people of Shiggaon have been pivotal to my political growth. I want to thank them. On July 12, we will hold a 'Yatra,' to express our gratitude," he added.
In response to Congress leaders' statements that the entire government would campaign in Shiggaon, Bommai welcomed the challenge.
"The people of Shiggaon are mature. I will put in all efforts and campaign as if I am contesting the election myself and ensure the victory of the BJP candidate," he asserted.
When questioned about the possibility of his son, Bharath Bommai, contesting as the BJP candidate in the by-election, Bommai clarified that no formal discussions had taken place, and there was no need to give importance to speculation.
"The observers will collect opinions," he concluded.