<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that AICC general secretary K C Venugopal played a crucial role in his political career in 2018.</p><p><br>He was speaking after presenting the Aryadan Mohammed memorial award in memory of Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed to Venugopal at a function at Nilambur in Malappuram district of Kerala on Wednesday.</p>.Insidious ways to destabilise elected govts: Sibal slams BJP amid Siddaramaiah row.<p>“During the screening committee meeting for finalising the tickets for the 2018 elections, I conveyed my interest to contest from Chamundeshwary to the AICC leadership. But Venugopal, who was then in charge of Karnataka, said that I would lose at Chamundeshwari. As I didn’t agree Venugopal met me personally and said that if I got defeated at Chamundeshwari it will be a major setback to my political career. But I stood on my stand to contest from Chamundeshwari. However, owing to Venugopal's pressure I considered Badami as a second option. When the results came I lost Chamundeshwari, but won Badami. Hence I could continue in politics without a gap. Otherwise, I don’t think I would have become the Chief Minister again. Hence I admire Venugopal’s long vision and political sharpness," Siddaramaiah said.</p><p>He also said that the five guarantee schemes of the Karnataka government were also initiated with the inspiration of Venugopal. </p><p>"Venugopal is working tirelessly for the revival of Congress in the country. Hence I'm more happy to have got the opportunity to present the award to Venugopal," Siddaramaiah said.</p><p>Siddaramaiah's praise for the AICC key leader has come at a time when the BJP is demanding his resignation over the MUDA scam.</p>.MP/MLAs court orders probe against Siddaramaiah in MUDA 'scam' case.<p>Siddaramaiah also said that Kerala and Karnataka shares the same mind in fighting against communalism by following the secular ideologies of Sree Narayana Guru and Basavaṇṇa. </p><p>Kerala opposition leader V D Satheesan and other senior Congress leaders of Kerala took part in the function.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that AICC general secretary K C Venugopal played a crucial role in his political career in 2018.</p><p><br>He was speaking after presenting the Aryadan Mohammed memorial award in memory of Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed to Venugopal at a function at Nilambur in Malappuram district of Kerala on Wednesday.</p>.Insidious ways to destabilise elected govts: Sibal slams BJP amid Siddaramaiah row.<p>“During the screening committee meeting for finalising the tickets for the 2018 elections, I conveyed my interest to contest from Chamundeshwary to the AICC leadership. But Venugopal, who was then in charge of Karnataka, said that I would lose at Chamundeshwari. As I didn’t agree Venugopal met me personally and said that if I got defeated at Chamundeshwari it will be a major setback to my political career. But I stood on my stand to contest from Chamundeshwari. However, owing to Venugopal's pressure I considered Badami as a second option. When the results came I lost Chamundeshwari, but won Badami. Hence I could continue in politics without a gap. Otherwise, I don’t think I would have become the Chief Minister again. Hence I admire Venugopal’s long vision and political sharpness," Siddaramaiah said.</p><p>He also said that the five guarantee schemes of the Karnataka government were also initiated with the inspiration of Venugopal. </p><p>"Venugopal is working tirelessly for the revival of Congress in the country. Hence I'm more happy to have got the opportunity to present the award to Venugopal," Siddaramaiah said.</p><p>Siddaramaiah's praise for the AICC key leader has come at a time when the BJP is demanding his resignation over the MUDA scam.</p>.MP/MLAs court orders probe against Siddaramaiah in MUDA 'scam' case.<p>Siddaramaiah also said that Kerala and Karnataka shares the same mind in fighting against communalism by following the secular ideologies of Sree Narayana Guru and Basavaṇṇa. </p><p>Kerala opposition leader V D Satheesan and other senior Congress leaders of Kerala took part in the function.</p>