Siddaramaiah has come under criticism from the BJP after he decided to contest from two constituencies for the Karnataka Assembly elections. He would be contesting from Chamundeshwari and Badami and the Karnataka CM maintains that the decision was taken due to pressure from his followers.

When asked about the BJP's criticism, he sought to remind the party that even Narendra Modi had contested from two seats during the Lok Sabha elections. The PM had contested from Gujarat and UP and won both.

Siddaramaiah also hit out at JD(S) chief, H D Kumaraswamy who has been saying that the CM is afraid of losing from Chamundeshwari. Siddaramaiah shot back and asked is that why Kumaraswamy is contesting from Channatapatana and Ramangara?

Siddaramaiah said that his decision to contest from Badami was not because he was seeking a safe seat. The people of North Karnataka wanted me to do so and even the high command agreed with it. On the BJP's decision to field Sriramulu against him, he said that they are free to what they want. I am not worried about who is contesting against me, he also said. He also said that let any leader spend all their time in Chamundeshwari and campaign against me. It will not make any difference, he also added.

Karnataka Assembly Election dates
Date of notification	April 17
Last date to file nominations	April 24
Last date to withdraw nominations	April 27
Date of polling	May 12
Date of counting	May 15