Hubballi: CM Siddaramaiah emulated another Backward Classes leader and late CM S. Bangarappa as he handed in his nomination papers, addressed one rally, and left the rest to his confidants on Tuesday. Mr Bangarappa, who represented Soraba constituency for more than 25 years, stuck to this schedule during Assembly polls in the '80s and '90s.
Flanked by KPCC working president S.R. Patil, local legislator B.B. Chimmanakatti - with whom he had earlier discussed strategy - and former Union minister C.M. Ibrahim, Mr Siddaramaiah arrived at the returning officer's office at the 11th hour on the last day for submission of nomination papers but not before spending a couple of hours discussing strategy in Mr Chimmanakatti's residence.
At the evening rally, he promised to catapult this taluk to the number one in terms of development, and extolled the virtues of 12th social reformer Basaveshwara, keeping in mind the presence of a significant number of Lingayat voters in the constituency. "I had decided to contest only from Chamundeshwari seat as I thought it would be difficult to campaign in two constituencies. But, party leaders from the region assured me that they will take the responsibility to ensure my victory and hence appealed me to file my nomination papers. People of Badami have created history and they will earn fame for electing a Chief Minister candidate," he added.
