Karnataka polls: Cong workers stage protest over ticket distribution

Dissidence in Congress has come out in the open with several party workers staging a protest outside the party's office in Bengaluru demanding tickets for themselves and their aides.

A large group of Congress ticket aspirants gathered in front of Congress Bhawan, the Karnataka Congress Pradesh Committee office at Queens Road in Bengaluru clashed with each other seeking tickets for the state election scheduled on May 10.

Speaking to ANI, Saleem Ahmed, state unit's Working President said that there is a lot of demand for the tickets. He said that there is the CEC meeting tomorrow and the ticket distribution will be discussed and finalised.

Meanwhile, Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the second list of candidates will be announced after the crucial party meeting on April 4.

Congress had already announced its first list of 124 candidates on March 25, and is yet to announce the candidates for 100 more segments.

The party has fielded Siddaramaiah from his home turf of Varuna in Mysuru district in the first list, following which the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly has expressed his intention to contest from the second seat of Kolar too, subject to the approval of the high command.

According to reports, the Karnataka unit of the Congress has finalised single names for 52 Assembly constituencies in the second list, and the Central Election Committee headed by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is likely to take a final call.