From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 28: The ruling Congress party in the State, which is hopeful of a better show in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, has a problem of plenty with over 300 aspirants for 7 Legislative Council seats facing election in the first week of June.

Speaking to media persons before leaving to Delhi for discussions with the Congress party high command on Tuesday, Shivakumar said the party high command will adopt yardsticks for selection and choose the candidates.

“There are aspirants from different categories. It is not possible to accommodate all castes, communities and regions even though the aspirants have worked for the party in the block, district and State levels,” he said.

The KPCC chief said there is demand that coastal Karnataka, Kittur and Kalyan Karnataka as well as old Mysuru region must get a cbance for representation,” he said explaining that there are some sitting MLCs, who are seeking re-election.

“It is left to the High Command. Let us see what will be decision,” he said.

To a question on Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar’s statement that Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister alone should not take the decision on selection of candidates, he said; “Certainly, we will seek his views also.”

Asked about the suicide of an officer of the Valmiki Development Corporation after alleging high-level corruption by Managing Director, he said: “I read about the incident in newspapers. I will obtain details and will be able to speak about it later.”

He parried questions on the possibility of changing the KPCC president, he quipped: “You must be having details. I am unaware of anything,”

Earlier in the morning, former Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar called on Shivakumar at his residence and held discussions. Congress legislators Pradeep Ishwar, Kottanur Manjunath, Naseer Ahmed, Anil Kumar and others were present.