Karnataka Elections: Congress second list out, Kolar undecided

Karnataka Congress on Tuesday released its second list of 41 candidates for the next-month Karnataka assembly elections and also marked a seat for regional outfit Sarvodaya Karnataka Party.

The party high command is yet to take a call on the candidate for the Kolar seat, as intense lobbying is on to clinch the party ticket.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed his aspirations to fight from Kolar in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls, even after the party fielded him from his home turf of Varuna in Mysuru.

However, he said that the decision to field him from Kolar is subject to approval of the party high command. Reportedly, Siddaramaiah's candidacy from Kolar was not discussed in the CEC meeting held recently.

Kolar is beleieved to be safe bet for Siddaramaiah as it will consolidate AHINDA votes in his favour and Vokkaliga leaders of the party from the region also may pledge support to him.

Siddaramaiah's supporters have conducted surveys, whuch says, Kolar being close to Bengaluru city may be easy for him to ensure his presence there often.

However, internal rift in the Kolar Congress, especially Union Minister K H Muniyappa, a veteran leader sulking, may cause a bit of worry for Siddaramaiah to some extent.

The Congress fielded Priyank Kharge, son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge from Chitapur.

Veteran party leaders MB Patil and Dinesh Gundurao have been fielded from Babaleswar and Gandhinagar constituencies, respectively.

The party fielded Bheemasen B Chimmannakatti from Badami, where former CM Siddaramaiah had fought from in the 2018 polls. Hullappa Y Meti will be contesting from Bagalkot, P Ravikumar from Mandya and A R Krishna Murthy from Kollegal (SC).

Congress has so far finalised 142 candidates for the polls. The first list of 100 candidates was released earlier. The Congress aims to wrest power from the BJP in Karnataka, the only southern state where the saffron party is in power.

Amidst threats of desertions and rebellions from ticket aspirants in the Congress, which was supposed to pick candidates for 100 constituencies has now made the announcement for only 41 seats.

The Congress has marked the Melukote assembly constituency for Darshan Puttannaiah of the Sarvodaya Karnataka Party.

Notably, the Congress second list has given priority to North Karnataka and some of those who jumped ship from the BJP and JD(S) ahead of the state polls.

Karnataka will vote on May 10 and results will be declared on May 13.