Stayed on because Sonia asked me to: Siddu

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Senior Congress leader, Siddaramaiah, who created quite a stir recently with his threat to quit as chief of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP), only to be pacified later, claimed on Saturday that it was not just the decision of the party denying a ticket to his candidate, former Union minister, C.M. Ibrahim for the legislative council polls that had triggered his revolt. "There were multiple reasons. The decision was taken after careful considerations. However, the issue has now been resolved," Mr Siddaramaiah told reporters in Hassan.

About his meeting with Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, he said, "Mrs. Sonia requested me to continue as CLP leader and assured me that she would set things right in the Karnataka Congress unit. As Mrs. Gandhi gave me her word, I will continue as CLP leader for time being."

The Congress leader had proposed the names of Ms Motamma, Mr M.R. Sitaram, Mr K. Govindaraj and Mr C.M. Ibrahim for the council polls. The party high command, however, approved of everyone but Mr Ibrahim, sending him into a sulk. Mr Siddaramaiah said he had explained to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi the circumstances that had forced him to resign as CLP leader.

“I told her about how I was sidelined in key decision making like in the recent selection of candidates for the MLC polls. I raised several issues, but I don’t want to make them public. I have made my point before the high command and am confident that things will change,” he added. Regarding the MLC polls, Mr. Siddaramaiah claimed the people were fed up with the BJP and the fight in the South Teachers’ constituency that covered Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Hassan districts, was between the Congress and JD(S).

"The results of the MLC polls will be a clear indication of things to come in the assembly polls not too far away," he said.