Karnataka Congress bets on Haris, but Rahul Gandhi will take a call

BENGALURU: Though the state Congress leadership and the Congress Screening Committee are said to have recommended NA Haris as the best bet to win the Shantinagar seat, the two-time MLA from the constituency has a reason to worry. The Screening Committee is said to have decided to play safe on the seats where candidates have courted controversy by leaving the fate of these candidates to AICC president Rahul Gandhi.

The Central Election Committee of Congress, which is set to meet on April 13 will finalise the list of Congress candidates. According to sources, Rahul will take a call on the fate of candidates like NA Haris, who had to face a huge public outcry following an assault case involving his son Mohammed Haris, and H Y Meti, the MLA from Bagalkot who had to quit from the ministry due to an alleged sex scam.

Even as the news started doing the rounds, a huge contingent of Haris’ supporters gathered opposite CM’s residence on Wednesday morning. Shouting slogans in favour of Haris, the gathering urged the CM to ensure Haris gets the ticket.

Leaders of the Muslim community in the party, who are demanding tickets for at least 26 members of the community in Congress, are making a pitch to allot the Shantinagar ticket to a suitable Muslim candidate if the party high command decides to deny ticket to NA Haris.

Sowmya Reddy to contest from Jayanagar?

Though the Screening Committee has decided not to take any decision on the demand for tickets to kin, the party is almost certain to give its nod for fielding Sowmya Reddy, daughter of Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy from Jayanagar. Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister T B Jayachandra is
said to have succeeded in getting the ticket for his son from Chikkanayakanahalli constituency.