Daijiworld Media Network - Tumakuru (SP)

Tumakuru, Mar 29: It is gathered that former chief minister, Siddaramaiah’s long drawn efforts to convince Congress rebel candidates in Tumakuru, K N Rajanna and Muddahanume Gowda, to withdraw their nominations, have yielded fruits. Both of them, it is said, have promised to withdraw their nominations today.

With this, Deve Gowda, who has been fielded from here as the consensus candidate of the coalition, has heaved a sigh of relief.

It is said that Siddaramaiah could convince Muddahanume Gowda and Rajanna to fall in line with the instructions of the party high command and pave way for Deve Gowda's victory. Siddaramaiah said that both of them will withdraw nominations today. It is reported that state Congress affairs in-charge, K C Venugopal, and national president of Congress, Rahul Gandhi, also spoke to them.

Muddahanume Gowda, in the meantime, said that he has called for a meeting of leaders close to him on Friday where he will take a final decision after holding discussions.