Congress leader Siddaramaiah hopes Rahul Gandhi becomes PM after Congress' victory in Karnataka Assembly elections

Congress leader Siddaramaiah expressed his hope on Saturday that Rahul Gandhi would become the Prime Minister of India after the party's victory in the Karnataka Assembly elections.

"The result of this election is a stepping stone for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, and I hope that all non-BJP parties will come together to defeat the BJP," Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

He also added that the people of Karnataka wanted a change because they were fed up with the BJP government, and the Padyatra of Rahul Gandhi helped enthuse the cadre of the party.

In a tweet, Siddaramaiah also said that the victory of the Congress in Karnataka is a victory for a secular party, and the people of Karnataka wanted a stable government that delivers as promised.

The Congress has been out of power in Karnataka for over six years, and the BJP won the 2018 Assembly elections, ending the Congress's 15-year rule in the state. The counting of votes for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly is underway, and the final results are expected later in the day.

Siddaramaiah's statement comes as a boost for Rahul Gandhi, who has been facing criticism from within the Congress for his leadership. The victory in Karnataka is seen as a sign that Rahul Gandhi still has the support of the people, and it could give him a much-needed boost ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress is hoping to make a comeback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and the victory in Karnataka is a step in the right direction. However, the party will need to do a lot more to convince the people of India that it is ready to govern the country.