Congress rubbishes reports of preparing for assembly polls after Lok Sabha results

Bengaluru, May 8: Rubbishing reports that Congress in Karnataka was preparing for assembly polls after the Lok Sabha election results, deputy chief minister G Parameshwaraon Tuesday said that the coalition government would complete its five-year-term.

The senior Congress leader also termed as 'impertinent' at this point of time, statements by some party leaders pitching for Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiahas chief minister once again and said there is a system in place in the party to choose the candidate.

"Some unwanted people are spreading news about going for the polls. No one is ready to go for elections. We have formed an alliance with an intention to run the government for five years and will complete the full term," Parameshwara told reporters in Kalburgi.

The Congress was currently working out a strategy to win the May 19 by-polls for Chincholi and Kundgol assembly constituencies, he said, adding that the party and alliance partner JD(S) would win maximum number of seats in the recently held Lok Sabha polls.

The deputy chief minister's statement was in response to a question about reports in a section of the media that Congress was preparing for the assembly election after the Lok Sabha poll results are out on May 23.

However, there is talk within political circles that any adverse results for the coalition in the Lok Sabha polls, which they fought in alliance, would have its implications on HD Kumaraswamy led government.

Clarifying on the issue of voices within the party pitching for Siddaramaiah being the chief minister once again, Parameshwara said the candidate is selected by the high command after gathering the opinion of legislators.

"This is our system, so what I say or someone else says will not count," he said.

Karnataka home minister MB Patil earlier in the day made a pitch for Siddaramaiah "as chief minister again," but clarified that the present coalition government under Kumaraswamy would complete its full term.

Patil's statement is in line with Chikkaballapura Congress MLA K Sudhakar's remarks on Monday that it would be good if Siddaramaiah became chief minister again.

Terming the statements of Sudhakar and Patil as their 'personal opinion', Parameshwara said the high command would take note of it and accordingly advice them against making such statements publicly.