Internal squabbling hits Cong. party over tickets

Gulbarga, Apr 24 (UNI) The internal squabbling in the Congress party in the district is hotting up with several senior Congress partymen, disappointed about not seeing their names in the first list of cadidates, openly revolting against the party leadership.

Three time MLA from Shahapur, Shishskarappa Patil Sirwal, Power Ministers Vaijnath Patil, C Ramakrishna and Quamarul Islam revolted venting their anger over the Congress High Command, a senior Congress leader said here today.

The supporters of Shishkarappa Patil Sirwal went on rampage setting fire to two buses and pelting stones at shops and vehicles yesterday at Shahapur in the district, protesting against the denial of ticket to Sirwal.

One of his supporters alleged that the High Command reached an agreement with JD(S) leader M P Prakash at the cost of their political leader.

The supporters of former Minister Qumahul Islam were anxious to know if the High Command was likely to field the sitting MP of Gulbarga, Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi in Muslim dominated Gulbarga-North constituency which Qumarul Islam had asked for. If the ticket for Gulbarga North was given to Saradgi, it would be difficult to pacify the supporters of Qumarul Islam, who was one of the prominent minority leaders in the district, a Congress leader told UNI.

Another former Minister Vaijnath Patil who had recently joined the party and is a follower of Siddaramiaiah, was denied ticket for Chincholi, from where he was elected. Chincholi was allocated to KPCC President M Mallikharjun Kharge.

The allocation of Gulbarga rural constituency ticket to former Gulbarga Mayor Chandrika surprised all the party leaders, as she had to fight against the BJP strong man and former Minister Revu Nayak Nilargi there.

A largescale dissidence brewed in the Gulbarga city for denying tickets to two time MLA G Ramakrishna, who had asked for Gulbarga rural constituency.

Senior Congress leader N Dharam Singh who had played a vital role in finalising the party tickets, said the remaining names for six constituencies would be announced on April 26.

UNI DP GKT LS VC1626