Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 13: Although Siddaramaiah has made known his intention to contest from Chamundeshwari constituency in Mysuru this time although he had won from Varuna in the last election, reports say that he is in two minds now. Siddaramaiah, who had earlier said that his son, Dr Yathindra, will contest from Varuna if the party allots him a ticket, is reconsidering this decision and mulling the prospects of fighting the election from Varuna constituency once again.

Siddaramaiah had announced that he wants to contest from Chamundeshwari constituency because of his emotional bond with that constituency as he had found base in politics through this constituency. After intelligence department sounded the chief minister that entering the fray from Chamundeshwari constituency is not a safe bet for him, he is in a dilemma, sources say.

Siddaramaiah had represented Chamundeshwari constituency till it went through reorganization process. He later chose Varuna, from which he has won twice. He wanted to leave Varuna constituency to his son this time.

G T Deve Gowda of JD(S) currently represents Chamundeshwari constituency, which has a sizable Vokkaliga population to which Gowda belongs. JD(S) has hinted that if Siddaramaiah chooses this as his constituency, it will take it as a prestige issue. There is likelihood of both Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda putting their efforts to see that Siddaramaiah is defeated if he chooses to get elected from here.

All these have made Siddaramaiah to rethink on his strategies. There are suggestions from some of his well-wishers that it would be a safe bet for him to contest from Varuna rather than facing uncertainty in Chamundeshwari. It is gathered that he is holding consultations with close ones on this issue.