Mysuru (DHNS): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that he will take the elections seriously as the Congress high command has decided to face the 2018 Assembly polls under his leadership.

Speaking to reporters here, Siddaramaiah said that though the elections would be contested under his leadership, a decision on the appointment of the next chief minister would be taken after the results.

Asked if Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, a strong contender for the post of KPCC president, was unhappy with the decision of the high command to retain G Parameshwara as state Congress chief, Siddaramaiah said there is no question of anybody being unhappy.

“All the 18 important leaders of the party in the state were summoned by the high command for talks. All the leaders had agreed to abide by the decision of the high command. The post of chairman of the election campaign committee, which has been given to Shivakumar, is also a very important one,” he said.

Defending the appointment of S R Patil as KPCC working president, he said the high command felt that one working president for North Karnataka and one for South would be convenient. “Former Mandya MP Ramya is also a Congress leader. She has already been made in-charge of the social media cell of the party by the high command. She will also be consulted on matters related to the state,” he said.

Reacting to reports that some ministers have offered prayers, seeking divine intervention for rains, the chief minister said it has not come to his notice. “I have never offered puja for rains. I don’t have faith in such rituals. However, I am confident of a good monsoon this year,” he said.

When his attention was drawn to criticism by state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa that Siddaramaiah would understand the problems of the people better if he stops flying in his helicopter and instead travels by road, the chief minister said, Yeddyurappa should speak practically.

“Was he not flying by helicopter when he was chief minister? Did I not travel from Periyapatna to Hunsur and from Hunsur to Mysuru by road. I am not running away from reality. I know the problems of the people and I am trying to solve them,” he said.