Bypoll results have no link to CM post: Siddaramaiah

Mysuru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Saturday asserted that the upcoming byelection results have no connection with the CM post and dismissed speculation about any political implications.Expressing confidence that Congress will retain Davanagere South and Bagalkot assembly segments, he said talk of a leadership change was baseless. "Ours is a high-command party. We will abide by whatever the high command decides," he said when asked about such speculation.Siddaramaiah said Congress's prospects were stronger than those of the opposition, which, he noted, had lost two of the three segments it held in the Nov 2024 by-polls. This, he said, reflected the relative strength of the parties and the political mood in the state. "In April 2026, Congress will retain the segments and demonstrate its strength," he told reporters at Mysuru Airport.Outlining his campaign programme, Siddaramaiah said he would begin electioneering in Bagalkot on March 30 and 31, followed by Davanagere South on April 1 and 2. He will return to Bagalkot on April 3 and 4, visit Kerala on April 5, and resume campaigning on April 6 in either Davanagere South or Bagalkot.The chief minister also said internal dissent in Davanagere South had been resolved, improving the party's prospects in the constituency.