Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday began a five-day election campaign in his native Old Mysuru region, taking on BJP chief Amit Shah who is also in the neighbourhood.

Addressing a huge rally, a combative Siddaramaiah, who is yet to take a call on his constituency, said: “I have won. I also suffered defeats from the Chamundeshwari segment. I personally know the people of the constituency. The constituency gave me political rebirth. I will contest again from Chamundeshwari.” Siddaramaiah, who once said Prime Minister Narendra Modi feared him, on Friday said that even BJP President Amit Shah was scared of him. “He is following me where ever I go.”

Taking a dig at Shah, the Chief Minister said the BJP president can campaign all he wants but it would not make a difference. “I am confident that the Congress will get a majority on its own.”

Talking about the BJP and the JD(S), Siddaramaiah said: “Both parties have entered into a tacit understanding to defeat me. But the people are with me.”