Wait for the first list of candidates of the governing Congress for the Assembly elections has continued, apparently owing to a tussle over fielding candidates in some of constituencies, particularly those represented by rebel JD(S) candidates who joined the party recently, and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to contest from two constituencies.
Though the Congress was expected to release its first list on Friday, sources in the party said it would be out on Saturday after another round of talks with AICC president Rahul Gandhi.
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It is said that differences among the top leaders came to the fore over Mr. Siddaramaiah’s decision to contest from two constituencies — Chamundeshwari in Mysuru district and Badami in Bagalkot district. Senior party leaders such as M. Mallikarjun Kharge, M. Veerappa Moily and K. Rahman Khan have reportedly opposed the Chief Minister’s decision. Senior leaders argued that contesting from two constituencies by the Chief Minister would send out a wrong message to the electorate.
However, in the interest of the party, sources said Mr. Gandhi has given the green signal to Mr. Siddaramaiah to contest from two constituencies, which would enable him to campaign in both the southern and northern parts of the State.
Following a meeting with Mr. Gandhi, the Chief Minister’s office set out a WhatsApp message saying that Mr. Siddaramaiah would file his nomination papers from the Chamundeshwari constituency on April 20 and from Badami on April 23.
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JD(S) rebels
Senior leaders have also been opposing giving ticket to the seven JD(S) rebel leaders who joined the Congress, citing that they had joined the party just a few days ago and ticket should be given to those who have served the party for several years.
Earlier on Friday, Mr. Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G. Parameshwara and other States leaders called on the former Congress president Sonia Gnadhi and sought her support. Ms. Gandhi told the leaders to work hard to ensure the party’s victory with a majority. Mr. Siddaramaiah, Dr. Parameshwara, KPCC campaign committee chairman D.K. Shivakumar, AICC secretary in charge of Karnataka K.C. Venugopal held a brainstorming session with central election committee members and discussed the names to be nominated for the 224 constituencies.