Mysuru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said he will be in politics till his "last breath", and will continue to serve the people as much as he can.
He also called on the people of his Varuna assembly segment here, to support and nurture his son and Congress MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah politically, just as they supported him.
"My political life has seen victories and defeats. I have lost in four elections, won seven. Victories and defeats are common in politics and I have seen both, but I have never forgotten to serve the people. Till today I have been serving the people as much as I can, and I will continue to do so. Till my last breath I will be in politics and will serve you as much as I can," Siddaramaiah said.
Addressing a gathering, he said, he cannot often visit the Varuna assembly segment and that his son, Yathindra, is handling the day-to-day affairs here.
"He was an MLA from here once (2018-23). I will approve all the developmental work here as Yathindra suggested. Like you nurtured me politically you should also nurture Yathindra. I have confidence and faith that you will do it," he added.
These comments have come amid ongoing power tussle between Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar over the chief minister post, amid speculations of leadership change citing alleged "power sharing agreement" between the two after 2023 Assembly polls.
Siddaramaiah credited his political growth and his becoming the CM twice, to the people of Varuna.
"If I'm the chief minister and the Leader of Opposition twice, if I have presented Budgets for 17 times, it is because of the blessing of people of Varuna hobli and Mysuru taluk. I became Minister in 1984, for about 46 years I have been a Minister. I have faced 13 elections, lost in four, and even when I lost you blessed me. I will never forget your blessings," he said.
Recalling his days of struggle, the CM said, with hardwork he studied and became a lawyer. "I later came to politics and because of all your blessings I have grown so far."
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Manali (HP) (PTI): Three tourists died while 10 others suffered serious injuries when their tourist tempo traveller skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district on Saturday night, police said.
According to the District Disaster Management Authority, about 20 people were on board, and the vehicle was returning from Jalori Pass.
Preliminary reports suggest that the tourist vehicle skidded off the road due to slippery conditions created by incessant rains while descending toward Bhuntar on the 15 km stretch.
As many as 10 tourists have been rescued, and the condition of one of them is critical. Three tourists died on the spot.
Police, fire service personnel, and local administration are jointly conducting rescue operations.
The tourists were staying in a hotel in Jhibi, about 10 km away from Banjar town, where the accident occurred.
The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, officials said.
Further details are awaited.
