Will be in politics till 'last breath', says Siddaramaiah, seeks Varuna support for son
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."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
