KPCC plays it safe on MLC nomination

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, FEB. 12. The Congress disappointed the veterans and settled for a person unknown to electoral politics, Ms. Nirmala Venkatesh, as its candidate for the byelection to the Legislative Council from the Assembly constituency. Ms. Venkatesh belongs to the Scheduled Caste.

Ms. Venkatesh's election as an MLC has become a formality as her's was the only nomination paper filed today, the last day fixed for the purpose. Her papers will be scrutinised on Tuesday and she will be declared elected on February 15, the last day fixed under the election calendar for withdrawal of nomination papers. The Opposition parties did not field a candidate considering the futility of the fight as the ruling party has a big majority in the Assembly.

By selecting Ms. Venkatesh, who is a Bhovi, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has stayed clear of the growing tussle between the right and the left factions of the Scheduled Castes which had laid claim to the party ticket. Both the groups have been rejected. Kempamma whose death necessitated the byelection belonged to the right or Chalawadi section of the Scheduled Castes. The Madiga or left section had also claimed the party ticket.

Ms. Venkatesh (44) holds an M.Sc. degree from the Karnatak University, Dharwad. Her late husband was a government doctor. A social worker, she is the Joint Secretary of the SC/ST Department of the KPCC and also connected with its human rights department.

Two sets of nomination papers were presented on behalf of Ms. Venkatesh to the Returning Officer, Mr. Rudrappa, Legislative Council Secretary. The proposers of her name included some ministers.

Till last night, the name of the Mandya District Congress President, Ms. Chikkalingamma, was being mentioned as the party candidate. On Monday morning, the name of the former minister, Ms. Renuka Rajendran, had gained currency.

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Section  : Southern States
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