Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 15: There has been increased resistance within the Congress for the proposal to field former BJP nominees who were defeated during the previous assembly poll in the constituencies which go to bypoll because of the resignations of disqualified MLAs.

The party had held meetings towards making preparations for the bypoll and had almost finalized the work of preparing list of probables. But a number of ticket aspirants are unhappy about the plan of the party leaders to invite BJP candidates who had unsuccessfully fought last time against the Congress and JD(S) candidates in the 15 constituencies which will go to bypoll, to fight under the Congress symbol.

It is learnt that there is pressure to give recognition to party workers who have worked sincerely for the party, it is gathered.

Byrathi Suresh, considered to be close to Siddaramaiah, is preparing to field his wife Padmavathi, in his Hoskote constituency. There are plans to field Sharath Bachegowda, son of BJP MP, Bache Gowda, on behalf of the Congress but there is opposition for the same within the party, it is learnt.

There were plans to field former minister, Prakash Hukkeri, from Kagwad constituency in Belagavi district. But the party is now thinking of fielding defeated BJP candidate Raju Kage, from this constituency, but Hukkeri is angry at this development, it is learnt.

Out of 15 constituencies where bypoll will be held, Congress is trying to rope in U B Banakar in Hirekerur and Nandish Reddy in K R Puram, both from the BJP, and the leaders of the party from these constituencies are not in favour of working for the victory their former political adversaries in these constituencies.