H C Mahadevappa reviews options

BENGALURU: The furore over the attempt to murder case against the son of Shanthinagar MLA N A Haris has not only embarrassed the ruling Congress, but has also cast a shadow on its electoral plans in the city. In a major fallout, public works department minister H C Mahadevappa, who was all but sure to contest from C V Raman Nagar, is reportedly having second thoughts on pursuing that plan.
“It is a tough call for both the party and Mahadevappa, considering the recent developments,” said a senior Congress leader. “While winning the seat is the priority, the party wants to weigh options carefully. I will not be surprised if Mahadevappa opts out of C V Raman Nagar.”

A senior Dalit leader and close aide to chief minister Siddaramaiah, Mahadevappa had wanted to make way for his son, Sunil Bose, to contest from his constituency, T Narasipura in Mysuru district.

C V Raman Nagar, reserved for scheduled caste candidates, is believed to be a safe seat for the Congress. It lost here to the BJP by about 8,000 votes in 2013 and sitting MLA, S Raghu, is battling heavy anti-incumbency. Siddaramaiah has suggested in January that the Congress is likely to field Mahadevappa from constituency. But, the Haris incident has thrown a spanner in the works.

Also, P Ramesh, the Congress candidate in the last elections, has stiffly opposed Mahadevappa’s candidature. “I have made it clear to party bosses that I want to stand in CV Raman Nagar,” Ramesh said. “If I am denied a ticket to accommodate Mahadevappa, I will contest the elections as a rebel candidate.”

Ragu, the incumbent, said: “Ground reports say I will surely win anyways. The presence of Mahadevappa, who will be seen as a migrant, will only make my job easier.”

Mahadevappa is also being weighed down by the reported opposition of senior ministers from Bengaluru, Ramalinga Reddy and K J George. Reddy, however, told TOI that he is not opposing Mahadavappa’s candidature. “It is a little early to talk about candidates for constituencies such as C V Raman Nagar. While the Congress has a fair chance of winning the seat, the concern is not to lose the advantage. The party leadership will carefully weigh the options,” Reddy said.