New Delhi
Shortly after the party announced its list of candidates for the Assembly elections, Congress workers in Karnataka revolted against the state leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Disgruntled leaders threatened to resign from the party membership, even as their loyalists vandalized party offices and created a ruckus at various places within the state.
Visuals showed Congress workers vandalising offices in Mandya, Mangaluru, Hangal, Badami, Kolar and many other constituencies. Voices of dissent were visible even when the list was being made public, with many citing that party has not applied the “one-family, one-ticket” formula for the Karnataka polls and granted tickets to the Chief Minister and his son, Home Minister and his daughter, and the Law Minister and his son.
Leaders have also cited that “outsiders”, who are supporters of CM Siddharamaiah, have been given tickets against loyalists who have been with the party for years. “This is not Indira Gandhi’s Congress. This is Siddaramaiah’s Tughlaq Congress,” senior leader P Ramesh, who announced his decision to contest from a JD (S) seat, was quoted as saying by Times of India. Condemning the vandalism by Congress workers, S Prakash, spokesperson, BJP said, “Congress leadership should step in and act against people who are indulging in vandalism and destruction.
“Congress on Monday released its first list of 218 candidates for the May 12 Karnataka Assembly elections, fielding incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Chamundeshwari and state party chief G Parameshwara from Korategere. The fresh faces who have been given tickets by the Congress are- Samath Raj, Anjali Nimbalkar, G Padmavati, Roopa Shashidhar, H S Manjunath, K Fatima, Madhu Madhe Gouda, MD Laxminarayan Vani, Krishna Reddy, Keertana Rudresh Gowda. B Suresh Siddhaiah, B Manjugowda, and A L Pushpa.
