The Congress party has had difficulties in deciding its first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the state, owing to supposed internal turmoil within the party. As per reports, differences cropped up between the members of the central election committee (CEC) of the party when it met on Friday.
The elections in Karnataka will be held on 12 May with the votes being counted on 15 May. Reports have claimed that the party would release the names for about 180 seats out of a total 225.
The CEC meeting chaired by Congress president Rahul Gandhi met twice, and for hours deliberated on the candidate selection. After failing to come to a consensus, the CEC decided to meet the next day.
The disagreement over the candidates supposedly stemmed over the seats currently held by rebel JD(S) members who have joined the Congress. Issue was also taken over incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to contest from two seats.
The report claims that Siddaramaiah wishes to contest from the Chamundeshwari seat in Mysuru district and Bagalkot district’s Badami seat. This has been objected to by the senior members of the party like – Mallikarjun Kharge and Veerappa Moily who feel this move will send a negative message to the electorate.
Though it is being claimed that Rahul Gandhi has overruled the objections and given a go-ahead for Siddaramaiah to contest from those two seats by citing “interests of the party”.
Another point of protest from the senior Congress leaders has been with regards to giving rebel JD(S) leaders a ticket to contest the polls. They assert that the tickets should be given to those who have served the Congress for several years. Apprehensions were also cast on the loyalty of the new inductees.
Issue has also been taken over the possibility of giving tickets to the family members of CM Siddaramaiah, state Congress chief G Parameswara and some senior ministers.
Now as per latest reports, the Congress seems to have overcome its differences and finalised its candidate list.