Will dissidence in Congress benefit G Janardhana Reddy?

KOPPAL: HR Srinath, a former MLC, quit the Congress after being denied the ticket at Gangavathi and joined JD(S) in 2018. He returned to Congress 10 months ago with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. As Congress announced a ticket for former minister Iqbal Ansari, he is disappointed. He is said to have been approached by the BJP and G Janardhana Reddy.
It is reported that BJP's sitting MLA Paranna Munavalli is not interested in contesting given the looming threat of Janardhana Reddy's grand campaign.
Following the confusion in both national parties, Gaali Janardhana Reddy is expected to take advantage of the situation.
It can be recalled here that former minister M Mallikarjun Nagappa was also a Congress ticket aspirant. However, he said if Congress issues a ticket for himself or Srinath, he will campaign for Congress. Now he remains silent after the ticket was issued to Ansari.
In a major development, BJP MLAs Paranna Munavalli and Basavaraj Dadesugur called on Srinath on Saturday afternoon and discussed. Later in the evening, Kalyana Rajya Pragati Party founder Janardhana Raddy met Srinath and spoke with him separately.
When contacted, Srinath said he would not campaign for Congress candidates in the district. "BJP and KRPP have approached me but I can't say anything at this moment. I will decide at the right time," he added.
Former minister and Koppal district Congress president Shivaraj Yangadagi admitted that Srinath is disappointed at this moment. In addition, he added, "Our party leaders will talk to him about setting things right very soon."
However, Srinath's rebellion and Nagappa's silence have Congress workers worried much.
"Reddy campaigns vibrantly and reaches all communities. Reddy will benefit from internal clashes if our leaders delay resolving the issue," they said.