BENGALURU, April 6 -- Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday campaigned for Congress-backed United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Ashraf in Manjeshwar, expressing confidence that voters would return the sitting legislator with a strong mandate.

Addressing a public meeting, Siddaramaiah placed emphasis on the region's linguistic ties to Karnataka. "When I come to Manjeshwar, it feels as though I am standing on Kannada soil," he said, noting that the area has a significant Kannada-speaking population. He referred to the legacy of literary figures from the region, calling it "a matter of pride for Kannadigas that stalwarts like Govinda Pai emerged from this land," and added, "I congratulate the people here who have contributed to the prese...