The Congress released its final list of candidates for the forthcoming Karnataka Assembly elections on Sunday, bringing in a change of candidates in six constituencies, including Badami, from where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will contest.
While it has finally stuck to two-time MLA N.A. Haris from Shantinagar (in Bengaluru) despite opposition from within the party, the party has also replaced its nominee from Madikeri H.S. Chandramouli, an advocate who had appeared on behalf of Punjab National Bank scam accused Mehul Choksi in the past. K.P. Chandrakala, member of the Kodagu Zilla Panchayat, will contest in Mr. Chandramouli’s place.
In Badami, the Congress has replaced its candidate Devaraj Patil to accommodate Mr. Siddaramaiah.
'B' form
Clearing the air over its candidate for the Shantinagar constituency, the Congress on Sunday gave a ‘B’ form to Mr. Haris. This comes amidst opposition from within the party to re-nominate him from the constituency after his son Mohammed Nalapad allegedly assaulted a youth in a lounge bar recently. Some leaders in the Congress were opposed to his re-nomination, citing that it could dent the party’s image.
“Having patience has paid off,” Mr. Haris told mediapersons soon after receiving the ‘B’ form at the Congress office here on Sunday afternoon. When asked if the Nalapad incident will have a bearing on his fortunes, he said: “It is best to be left to the law. I have worked in the constituency and I am confident of winning.”
Similarly H.P. Rajesh, who had earlier been denied a ticket to contest from the Jagalur constituency reserved for the Schedule Tribe, has replaced A.L. Pushpa.
For Padmanabhanagar (in Bengaluru), former MLA M. Srinivas, who represented Rajarajeshwari Nagar on a BJP ticket earlier, has been named as the party candidate in place of B. Gurappa Naidu.
The party has also changed its candidate from Tiptur by naming K. Shadakshari, incumbent MLA, in place of B. Nanjamari.
