Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Dec 9: "The BJP as well as the JD(S) must be very affectionate of me or they may be scared of me. That is why the keep repeating my name in their addresses," said leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to reporters here on Sunday December 8, the former chief minister said that he does not have faith in post poll surveys. He pointed out that such surveys had gone for a toss in Maharashtra and Haryana. "These surveys are based on estimates and guesses and therefore I do not have faith in them. I can assure you that we will win more seats that what is expected," he added.

Siddaramaiah hit back at ministers, Jagadish Shettar and Eshwarappa, for predicting that the Congress would turn into a non-entity once the bypoll result is declared. He said that no one can finish the Congress off. "They are just fantasizing about such a scenario," he ridiculed.

He accused the government of miserably failing in distribution of flood relief to other people. He said that the government has washed its hands off the issue by disbursing Rs 10,000 initially and then one lac rupees later. He said that a large number of affected people are yet to get compensation and relief towards crop loss. The state government has been facing a distress situation as the central government has not yet released the state's share of Rs 5,600 crore, he explained.

Siddaramaiah charged the chief minister of doing nothing else but concentrating his energy and attention on saving his government. He said that those who are targeting him are doing so just to conceal their own inadequacies and mistakes.