Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will contest the May 12 Assembly elections from two constituencies – Chamundeshwari in Mysuru and Badami in North Karnataka, PTI reported.

The Congress had named Dr Devraj Patil its candidate from Badami in the list it had announced on April 15, and Siddaramaiah was to contest the elections from Chamundeshwari. The Congress high command is believed to have been opposed to the idea of him contesting from two seats, but local party leaders from Bagalkote and Vijayapura districts wanted him to contest from Badami as well to raise the Congress’ prospects in North Karnataka.

“This is the first time Siddaramaiah is contesting from two seats in response to demand from the party’s cadres and his supporters from the Kurba community he belongs to,” said Congress Spokesperson Ravi Gowda, according to IANS.

The chief minister returned to Bengaluru on Saturday after campaigning in Chamundeshwari and Varuna constituencies the entire week. His son Yatheendra is the party’s candidate from Varuna, which Siddaramaiah represents now. Siddaramaiah will file his nomination for the Badami seat on Tuesday.

The Assembly elections for Karnataka’s 224 constituencies will be held on May 12, and the votes will be counted on May 15. The Congress has not named its candidates for five constituencies yet, and will partner with an ally on one seat. These elections are key because Karnataka is the only major state left under the Congress’ rule, and its results are expected to set the tone for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.