Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 4: State Congress leaders have now been grappling with a new problem relating to its coalition politics. The leaders feel that unless the Congress workers fully back the candidature of JD(S) candidate, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, in Mandya constituency, the chances of BJP to defeat Congress candidate in Mysuru constituency would be bright. Mysuru happens to be one of the pockets where JD(S) has a formidable presence.

The Congress leaders have so far failed to convince its workers in Mandya to support Nikhil Kumaraswamy's candidature. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, and former chief minister, Siddaramamaih, who summoned important Congress leaders from Mandya to the city held marathon meeting with them. The leaders tried to drive home the point that unless the Congress leaders work wholeheartedly for the success of Nikhil, the party will not get support for its candidate in Mysuru. In such a scenario, BJP will reap the benefit, they said, and urged the leaders to get fully involved with campaigning for the coalition candidate.

Siddaramaiah told the leaders in no uncertain terms that they are barred from working for the success of Sumalatha Ambareesh. Mandya leaders objected to this, and challenged the leaders to show evidence of them having participated in campaigns in favour of Sumalatha. They also said that they were not actively canvassing for votes, as the chief minister had openly said that they need not campaign for JD(S) candidate here. Siddaramaiah told them that he would speak to Kumaraswamy and sort out the misgivings by holding a meeting. He asserted that their support is required for the victory of the coalition candidate, but the leaders remained non-committal.

At last, he told them that he and Deve Gowda would be coming to Mandya together for electioneering, and asked the leaders to at least support them on this occasion. But leaders like Chaluvarayaswamy and Ramesh Bandisiddegowda said they would think about it.

Reports have said that in many villages in Mandya district, Congress workers with Congress flags in hands have been canvassing for Sumalatjha.

Dinesh Gundu Rao later said he had discussed issues with all prominent leaders of Mandya and hoped that the issue would be sorted out soon. He warned people against using Congress party flags in meetings organized to favour other candidates, apparently peeved over reports of Congress flags being used in electioneering for Sumalatha. He said that those who want to support other candidates can leave the party. He said that as per the wishes of national president of Congress party, coalition candidate's victory should be ensured and therefore party workers have to set aside their personal views and work for the coalition candidate.

Siddaramaiah said that casting vote to Sumalatha is like supporting BJP as she will join BJP if she is elected. He asked party men to work for Nikhil now assuring that in the coming days the constituency can be taken back into the party fold.