‘Sonia can give ticket to Nilekani’

Nilekani had not served the party for three year, as stipulated in the constitution to allot ticket

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara on Monday said there is a provision in the party constitution that allows president Sonia Gandhi to allot party ticket to UIDAI Chairman Nandan Nilekani to contest from Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency in the elections.

Speaking to presspersons at the KPCC meeting where party leaders were discussing background of candidates, Dr. Parameshwara agreed that Mr. Nilekani had not served the party for three years, as stipulated in the party constitution to allot ticket for contesting an election. But, if Ms. Gandhi allots it, the party has the tradition of respecting the decision, he added. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah attended the meeting in the morning.

He said Mr. Nilekani had met him and expressed his desire to contest from Bangalore South Lok Sabha elections as Congress candidate against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s senior leader and MP Ananth Kumar. This, he said, was indicative of big changes in the party in the coming days.

Asked about the return of the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to the BJP, he said it was surprising how that party could allow such a move, when he resigned following allegations of corruption.

He said aspirants, if charged with serious offences, would not be given ticket. Only winnable, good aspirants would be fielded.

Dr. Parameshwara said after the State list is finalised, it would be taken to Delhi for scrutiny with the central election committee chairperson (Ms. Gandhi) on January 7 and 8. Though women and youth would be given priority, they would not be assigned 33 per cent of the seats to be fielded.