Mysore : Speaking to media, near his house at T K Layout here, Siddaramaiah said, “In Assam, the Congress party could not retain power due to anti-incumbency factor. Tarun Gogoi was the chief minister for three terms and it was natural that anti-incumbency factor worked against him. In Kerala, it has become a tradition for the people to elect the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) for alternate terms. Now, LDF has regained power after defeating UDF.

In West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, the regional parties command more influence rather than national parties. So, Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Bannerjee, and J Jayalalitha-led All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have won the polls (re-elected for a consecutive second term). However, BJP lacks base in any of these States.”

On the possibility of any impact of the results on Karnataka state, the chief minister answered in the negative. He went on to claim that the party will complete its remaining development works in the remaining two-year tenure. “In fact, the party will return to power in the next Assembly election scheduled for 2018,” he asserted.

On May 26, the chief minister will leave for Delhi to discuss with the high command on the forthcoming election to the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha. To the remarks made by Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa regarding drought assistance by the Centre, the chief minster preferred to shrug it off saying, “Eshwarappa lacks minimum intelligence.”

On the party’s prospects in the election to the State Legislative Council from South Graduates constituency, chief minister exuded confidence that the party’s nominee Dr Ravindra will emerge victorious.