The leaders of both major parties Congress and BJP are busy lobbying for the victory of their candidates in the local bodies MLC elections scheduled next month. The last local bodies MLC by-elections were held on 22 August 2013 after the post had become vacant owing to the victory of G.H. Tipparedy in the Assembly elections.
In the last byelections, both the Congress and the BJP had lost in the elections and Raghu Achar, who contested as an Independent candidate had won with a margin of 223 votes. A year later, the MLC joined the Congress. So this time also, the Congress party is likely to issue ticket to sitting MLC Raghu Achar.
However, some Congress leaders, are lobbying for ticket by approaching the high command and the State leaders, citing the reason that MLC Raghu Achar was not a local candidate. But the State leaders in the Congress and the party high command may not accede to their demand as Mr. Achar’s vote was crucial for holding reigns of power at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.
Reacting to the demands of the district Congress leaders, the MLC has clarified that he would strictly adhere to the instructions of the party high command with regard to issuing ticket. He claimed that he was also a local candidate as he was constructing a house in Hiriyur taluk. The BJP may field K.S. Naveen as its candidate in the elections. Mr. Naveen was defeated in the last MLC by-elections by a margin of 223 votes.
