Date:27/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/27/stories/2008042751810300.htm

Karnataka

Disgruntled Congress leaders may contest

Firoz Rozindar

D. Sudhakar to contest as Independent candidate in Hiriyur

Chitradurga: The rebellion in the district Congress unit seems to be intensifying after the former MLA D. Sudhakar decided to contest as independent candidate from Hiriyur. This comes amidst reports that the former MLA A.V. Umapati is likely to join the Janata Dal (Secular) to contest from Hosadurga.

Interestingly, the two leaders who lost their constituencies after the delimitation, were seeking the Congress ticket to contest from Hiriyur, which is now a general constituency. The Congress decided to field zilla panchayat president Geeta Nandini Gowda. Upset over this, the two former MLAs have decided to chart their own course of action.

The other two leaders who are disgruntled over the decision are the former Minister Kodandaramaiah who quit the Janata Dal (Secular) to join the Congress and the District Congress Committee president R. Manjunath. Both are also lobbying for the Hiriyur constituency. After being denied ticket, they have decided to protest.

On Thursday, several supporters of Mr. Manjunath ransacked the Congress office. On Friday, hundreds of supporters of Mr. Kodandaramaiah staged protests.

Holalkere (Reserved) is another constituency which is much sought after by the Congress leaders. The Congress has given the ticket to district youth president B. Tippeswamy. This disappointed the former MLA H. Anjaneya, who was a strong contender. Mr. Anjaneya, who lost his Bharamsagar constituency (the constituency has since ceased to exist), has been eying Holalkere. Mr. Anjaneya is one of the leaders who left the Janata Dal (Secular) along with the former Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash and joined the Congress. Demanding the ticket, his supporters staged protest on Thursday.