Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Apr 28: Congress has finalized the names of former vice-president of Kalaburagi zilla panchayat Subhash Rathod for the Chincholi assembly constituency and Kusuma Shivalli, wife of former minister late C S Shivalli for the Kundagola constituency for the by-poll that has generated immense curiosity in the state.

The names of candidates were finalized in the meeting on Saturday, which took place under the leadership of state Congress in-charge K C Venugopal. Congress legislative party leader Siddaramaiah, deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwar and KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao also took part in the meeting.

Subhash Rathod (left) and Kusuma Shivalli

Though there were more than ten aspirants for the Kundagola constituency ticket, the committee took the decision of fielding Kusuma Shivalli on the grounds of compassion. It is said that Siddramaiah mooted the decision of awarding the ticket to Kusuma Shivalli saying that it will be easier for victory as she will draw more sympathy votes.

In the constituency of Chincholi former minister Baburao Chauhan and Babu Honna Nayak were strong contenders. However, the ticket was given to former vice-president of Kalaburagi zilla panchayat Subhash Rathod on the grounds that he had defected from BJP to Congress during the recent Lok Sabha elections and worked for Congress candidate of the constituency Mallikarjuna Kharge. As there are many voters belonging to the Lambani community in this constituency it was opined that the victory of Rathod would be easier as he also belongs to the same caste.

It is also learnt that discussion was held about bringing Sunil Vallyapure, who is disgruntled with his present BJP party for not giving him ticket, to the Congress party. It is said that district-in-charge minister Priyank Kharge opined that the win would be easier if Sunil is brought to the Congress party. However, Siddaramaiah opposed this move. The party’s inside sources have confirmed that Siddramaiah opined that the joining of Sunil Vallyapure to the Congress party at this juncture will create chaos.

Cold war brewed between Congress parliamentary party leader Mallikarjun Kharge and working president of KPCC Eshwar Khandre in pushing for their favorites to be candidates for the Chincholi assembly constituency. Though Chincholi assembly constituency is in Kalaburagi district, as it falls under the limits of Bidar Lok Sabha constituency, Eshwar Khandre had tried to push his close aide Jaisingh Rathod. However, the leaders who took part in the meeting sided with Subhash Rathod, whose name was proposed by Mallikarjun Kharge, it is learnt.