Congress Ready For Elections Any Time In Karnataka: Siddaramaiah

Siddaramaiah's comments come at a time when an audio clip has surfaced, fuelling a new round of speculation on whether replacing the 78-year-old Chief Minister is on the cards.

Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah today said the party was ready to face elections in Karnataka at any time but maintained that there is no possibility of early Assembly polls in the state. Amid speculations in the ruling BJP about the possible replacement of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and a purported audio clip indicating that it may become a reality going viral, the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly said it is good that a "corrupt chief minister" is going. "Congress is ready to face elections at any point of time," he said in response to a question on whether the party was ready in case the BJP is unable to handle its internal crisis. Speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said, "I don't feel that an early election will take place because if BS Yediyurappa is removed, another person will be made the Chief Minister. We are ready to face the election whenever it comes."