Congress may tie up with SP in K'taka: SM Krishna

New Delhi, Apr 23: Former Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on Wednesday said that the Congress party is negotiating with the Samajwadi Party leader S Bangarappa for an alliance in the forthcoming Karnataka Assembly elections.

But that does not mean that we are desperate (to have a tie up with Bangarappa), Krishna told reporters here. For strategic reasons, we have not announced nominees for three seats in Shimoga District, which is considered a stronghold of Bangarappa. There would be no compromise on Sorab constituency, from where Congress is fielding sitting MLA Kumara Bangarappa as the seat is not negotiable," added Krishna.

He admitted that the issue of price rise could have some impact on the Congress adding that present inflation trends could provide a comfort level for the party.

Refuting reports that several Congress leaders were upset over selection of candidates in many constituencies, Krishna said that his state unit had issued a stern warning to rebels to withdraw from poll field or face disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President M Mallikarjun Kharge said that the central election committee had cleared 90 per cent of the names recommended by the state election committee.

ANI