Triple test for Siddaramaiah

In the middle of all the excitement about the Assembly byelections in Uttar Pradesh (nine seats), to be held on November 13, there is little discussion about the three bypolls in Karnataka.

- ADITI PHADNIS

Beleaguered Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's political credibility will be tested by the outcome. And cries that he must resign will become shriller if the Congress loses them.

That the Mysuru Urban Development Authority land scandal has hurt the chief minister's authority is an understatement. His wife was allocated plots in Mysore, allegedly in lieu of the land she gave up for the development of Mysuru to the authority. However, the land she was given as compensation had a much higher circle rate. The matter was "revealed" quite accidentally, via a right to information (RTI) investigation. And as he is investigated for corruption and money-laundering, the chief minister has expressed "surprise" at his wife's public offer to return the land. Most others are surprised at the chief minister's surprise!