Daijiworld Media Network – Karwar (SP)

Karwar, Apr 23: “Former minister and BJP candidate from Karwar assembly constituency, Anand Asnotikar, had indeed tried to get admission into the Congress. This is true, not a media creation,” clarified former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, R V Deshpande.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday April 22, Deshpande said Asnotikar had tried his best till the last, to come back into the Congress fold. “Not only that, he did lot of other things too,” he added. Deshpande however, explained that Asnotikar had met Oscar Fernandes and G Parameshwar, but not him. He said that national president of the party, Sonia Gandhi, had stoutly blocked Asnotikar’s efforts to join the Congress.

Deshpande confessed that there had been certain misgivings relating to ticket distribution among the party leaders. “Those who recommend for tickets, and those who distribute them, are human beings, and hence some mistakes are bound to be committed. Everything will fall in line in course of time. Satish Sail, who was with the party, has decided to contest the election as an independent candidate from Karwar. Congress leaders including me have put in every effort to pacify him. He is a good friend of mine, but is adamant now about fighting the election,” he said.

To a question as to whether he aspires to be the next Chief Minister of the state, Deshpande said he would prefer not to reply the question, as the statement he makes might result in predicament for the party leaders.