No immediate plans for Delhi visit; leadership call up to party high command, says Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he has no immediate plans to visit New Delhi but would do so if called. The CM, who was in Mysuru on Wednesday (May 6, 2026), also shut down speculation over a possible change in leadership.

Mr. Siddaramaiah maintained that the Congress government would complete its full five-year term. “I will abide by any decision of the party high command. The leadership issue is entirely left to them,” he said.

He added that “If asked, I will go. If Rahul Gandhi gives an appointment, I will meet him,” he said, declining to take further questions on the leadership issue.

Strong public backing

Asserting that the Congress party’s recent bypoll victories signal strong public backing for its welfare agenda, the CM said the results were a clear endorsement of his government’s performance.

“People have complete faith in our government. The party won three by-elections earlier and two now. Such victories are possible only with the people’s trust and blessings,” he told reporters at the Mysuru airport.

Referring to the Davanagere and Bagalkot bypolls, he said voters had backed the government’s schemes and rejected the Opposition’s tactics. “The people have appreciated the government and its programmes. The Opposition’s strategies will not work; they are indulging only in conspiracies,” he said.

Responding to a query on local body elections, the Chief Minister said they would be held soon.

Sringeri recounting

To questions over the Sringeri election, Mr. Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of a “criminal conspiracy” during vote counting. He claimed that 255 valid votes polled in favour of Congress candidate Rajegowda were declared invalid. “The BJP was in power during the counting process. Ballot papers were tampered with through officials,” the Chief Minister alleged.

“How is it possible to declare valid votes invalid when ballot papers are shown to polling agents at the time of polling?” he questioned.

Mr Siddaramaiah said the Congress would challenge the Sringeri election result in court.