Rahul or Priyanka Gandhi may contest from Udupi-Chikmagalur: Reports

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Aug 10: The electorate of Chikmagalur who had elected Indira Gandhi about three decades ago, is likely to have similar opportunity soon, according to the reports going around in the media.  

Rahul or his sister Priyanka, scions of the Gandhi family, may contest from Udupi-Chikmagalur in the forthcoming general elections, say sources.

According to the sources, the matter has not yet been discussed at the district level. Congress leaders Oscar Fernandes and Veerappa Moily have not held such discussions with the local leaders yet. There were talks during the last 3-4 days that Rahul and Priyanka may contest in the state, and now it is said that they would contest from Udupi-Chickmagalur constituency.

However, Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash Hegde, speaking to daijiworld, denied such reports and said that there has been no communication to this effect from the Congress high command. He added, "It is left for the party to decide, and we will fully support any candidate chosen from here."

MLA Pramod Madhwaraj also echoed Hegde and said that there is no information about Rahul or Priyanka Gandhi contesting from Udupi-Chikmagalur, but that if it happens, the party will back them fully. "We will abide by the high command's decision. A meeting will be called before the official declaration of the candidate. As of now, there is no information about any such meeting either," he said.

Brahmavar block Congress president Rajesh Shetty brushed aside the reports as mere rumours spread by the media and the opposition parties. "If at all they contest from here, we will support them fully. Whoever contests will get our full support, as during the last MP elections. As of now, only Jayaprakash Hegde's name is expected to be proposed," he said.

Nevertheless, sources said that a meeting will be held on August 17 in the presence of Udupi block president, working committee members and district Congress committee members to select the candidate for the constituency.  The name of the candidate will be suggested then and the process of election will continue after that.

Nagesh Kumar, private secretary of Oscar Fernandes says that they do not have any information in this regard.

Three decades ago, the Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency included the present Karkala and Beltangady legislative assembly constituencies. The constituencies have split now giving rise to Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency consisting of four legislative constituencies each from Udupi and Chikmagalur.