With nearly a dozen leaders from Karnataka and other States aspiring for party ticket to contest the Rajya Sabha elections, which are scheduled for March 23, the Congress central leadership has deferred finalising its three candidates.
There seems to be a difference of opinion between the high command and the State leaders over fielding “outsiders” in the Rajya Sabha elections. The State leaders contend that bringing in outsiders may be an unwise move ahead of the Assembly elections here.
Sources in the party said the high command has sought more time to finalise the list of three candidates. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly expressed displeasure over the fielding of candidates not belonging to the State.
According to sources, the names of technocrat Sam Pitroda, AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi, Urban Development Minister Roshan Baig, developer Channa Reddy, Rani Satish and Shyamanur Shivashankarappa, both former Ministers, and S.G. Nanjaiah Math, who headed a panel on redrawing gram panchayats, came for discussion on Tuesday.
The Congress has decided to contest in three of the four Rajya Sabha seats in the State, even though the JD(S) is seeking Congress support to field a candidate from the party rather than a third candidate.
The party has 120 MLAs and is expected to get the support of seven JD(S) rebels and B.R. Patil of the Karnataka Janata Paksha, independent MLA B.R. Nagendra, and Ashok Kheny (Karnataka Makkala Paksha). Mr. Patil and Mr. Kheny have already joined the Congress. This means it will be able to ensure victory of two candidates. It has short of two votes to elect a third.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, KPCC president G. Parameshwara, KPCC working president D.K. Shivakumar, and AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka K.C. Venugopal called on party president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi and discussed the list of candidates.
JD(S) still negotiating
Despite Mr. Siddaramaiah sticking to his stand of having no truck with the JD(S) for the Rajya Sabha elections, the party is said to be still negotiating with the Congress central leadership on getting support for its candidate B.M. Farooq.
According to sources in the JD(S), the Congress high command is aware of the possibility of the party having to seek JD(S) support in case of a fractured verdict in the polls. “Therefore, the high command has not given the green signal for the KPCC’s plan of fielding a third candidate yet. There is no change in our decision to field a candidate. We want the Congress to keep the post-poll scenario in mind,” said a senior JD(S) leader.
On withdrawing support in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike council, the source said: “We are waiting and watching. Our party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda has convened a meeting on Wednesday. He will take the final call following the decision of the Congress on the third candidate.”