Congress sees problem in candidate selection in Karnataka

New Delhi, Apr 8 (UNI) The Congress is seriously considering replacing at least 30 per cent of the MLAs of the dissolved assembly in Karnataka, but the task seems to be daunting .

"Our plan is to change at least 30 per cent of those who were elected to the assembly in the last election. But the exercise would be difficult in the light of the delimitation of constituencies," top AICC sources said here today.

Sources said the Pradesh Election Committee would meet in Bangalore tomorrow. AICC observers Vayalar Ravi, Santhosh Bagrodia, Jairam Ramesh and Kapil Sibal would attend the meeting.

The Congress hopes to improve its performance in next month's election, in the context of several top leaders from prominent communities joining the party from other parties, especially the Janata Dal (Secular), in recent times.

In this context, the sources cited the names of former Union Minister C M Ibrahim, Tara Devi Sidhal and Jaiprakash Hegde.

The Party considers crucial the first phase of the poll in about 70 constituencies on May 10 as they were strongholds of the Congress.

Asked if former Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna would be projected as the Chief ministerial candidate, the sources did not give a direct reply. "We will fight the election collectively." UNI SH RL RK1846