Siddaramaiah gets emotional at MLAs' meet, sr leaders blame him for defeat

Outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turned "emotional" at a meeting of the party's new legislators today while speaking on Congress' defeat in the assembly polls even as senior leaders blamed him for the result, party sources said.

The 69-year-old leader received flak from several senior party MLAs, who held him responsible for the Congress' performance, citing his complete authority in selection of candidates and the Lingayat issue, they said.

Meanwhile, Home Minister in the outgoing government Ramalinga Reddy said most of the MLAs were present at the meeting today except "three or four " who were on their way, but all were in touch".

Claiming that 117 MLAs were on their side, he said "despite this if the Governor does not invite us, we will decide how to go further...we may also parade our strength."
Party sources aware of the developments said Siddaramaiah "kind of got emotional" as he spoke
Alleging that BJP was trying to poach Congress MLAs, Reddy said "they had done it in the past, they are trying to do it again, but they will not succeed... we are all together and will stay together."