The Congress plans to take disciplinary action against Vani Sridhar, the rebel candidate of the party, who was elected the president of Puttur town municipal council on Wednesday with the support of the BJP
Puttur Block Congress president Hemanath Shetty told The Hindu that Ms. Sridhar would be suspended from the party and her election would be questioned in court. The party on Tuesday issued the whip to all its 14 councillors to vote for Mohammed Ali, the official candidate. Ms. Sridhar was among those who received the whip. She was neither an aspirant for the post nor enjoyed the support of the party councillors. Mr. Shetty alleged the party had people’s mandate as it had won 15 of the 27 seats. He alleged that the BJP had resorted to “operation Kamala” again to win the elections.
Ms. Sridhar, however, said she did not approach the BJP leadership in Puttur seeking the support of their councillors. Instead it was some Congress workers who had approached the BJP. Ms. Sridhar said even if the party suspended her she would re-join the Congress.
K. Monappa Bhandary, spokesperson of Dakshina Kannada unit of the BJP and MLC, said Ms. Sridhar had approached the BJP seeking support.
