Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Oct 24: Ex-deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah expressed the opinion here on Wednesday October 22, that the Congress does not need to join hands with the JD(S) for the bypoll to be held in eight assembly constituencies. "The congress has the capability to romp home on its own," he stressed.

Speaking to presspersons who met him on Wednesday, he informed that no discussions had been held at the party high command level about the Congress-JD(S) pre-poll understanding. When such a situation crops up, I will speak out my mind on this issue, he stated.

He termed the rumours making the rounds about his plans to form a new party or joining the BJP as speculative. "As of now, I have no question of leaving the Congress before me," he clarified.

"When the two state ministers met me recently, we did not discuss the issue of politics. That was just a courtesy call. We had tea and followed it with informal chat, before they went back," he explained.

Elected members of the local bodies will be the voters for the elections being held for the three seats of the legislative council. Hence, all the leaders need not get involved with electioneering, he felt.

"I am yet to get clarification from the top brass of the party as to whether the post of the president of the party publicity committee has been given to me on permanent basis or temporary," he said.

"I have never questioned the appointment of R V Deshpande as the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. So, the news that I am opposed to the high command decision, has no base," he replied, but added that Deshapande has been his good friend.