Mysuru: This was one poll, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would have loved to win with the Assembly polls just 15 months away, but it is unlikely to happen with Dalit veteran V. Srinivasprasad set to sweep the Nanjangud byelection. Sources, quoting a report presented by AICC observers, police intelligence reports and the opinion of Congress workers in Nanjangud, said that considering the bleak prospects, the Congress may put up a candidate only for namesake in the constituency and minimise the damage. "There are rumours doing the rounds that the Congress is trying to rope in Dalit leader, Keshavmurthy of JD(S) to fight Mr Prasad but in the current situation, he does not stand much of a chance," sources said. What could swing the verdict in favour of the former Union minister is the support he enjoys across communities-Dalits, Vokkaligas, Kurubas and Lingayats.
Nanjangud: Battle already lost for Congress?
Going by a report presented by observers of the AICC, police intelligence reports and the opinion of Congress workers in Nanjangud, there is not much hope for the party in the forthcoming Nanjangud byelections.
The reports have indicated that the ruling party has very little chance of winning the seat from veteran leader V. Srinivasprasad who recently joined the BJP, irrespective of the candidate they field. “The reports are definitely a dampener for the Congress. There are rumours doing the rounds that the Congress is trying to rope in Dalit leader, Mr Keshavmurthy from JD(S) to fight Mr Prasad but in the current situation, he does not stand much of a chance. Hence the Congress, knowing quite well what the result would be, may only field a candidate for names sake,” sources said.
"Besides his values and principles, the clean image of Mr Srinivasprasad over forty five years of his career, has turned out to be a big obstacle for the Congress. Though Mr Srinivasprasad is a strong voice of the Dalit community, he respects all communities, be it Vokkaligas, Kurubas or Lingayats. His family, be it his wife or children have never interfered in his politics. His scientific handling of state issues when he was in the Cabinet, has proved to be his plus point," the sources added.
“Although the Congress is trying its best to woo voters by launching development projects and by offering loans through state-run corporations to voters, they may not help the party candidate much. No matter what they shower on Nanjangud in the name of projects or loans, voters will only look for Srinivasprasad in the ballot paper,” sources said.
On the unceremonious removal of Srinivasprasad from the Cabinet, sources said that to meet the demand for a Dalit CM if the Congress wins the 2018 Assembly polls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wanted to prop up his close confidant from Mysuru region as the candidate.
To ensure that Mr Srinivasprasad, the tallest Dalit leader from the region, was not in the race for CM, he was reportedly removed from the cabinet, the sources explained.
TN MLA gets a taste of state hospitality on dais
Congress leaders in bengaluru were left embarrassed on Sunday when party MLA from Nagarcoil in Tamil Nadu, Vijay Dharani was allegedly ‘pushed’ around on the dais.
This embarrassing incident took place right in front of Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah and senior leaders while they were garlanding Tamil saint-poet, Tiruvalluvar’s statue in Halsooru in the city.
It came to light only when Ms Dharani angrily pushed back a section of workers. At this juncture, sensing trouble KPCC working president, Dinesh Gundu Rao intervened and brought the situation under control. Mr Siddaramaiah who had already garlanded the statue, came up to Ms Dharani and inquired about the incident. "After this, Mr Siddaramaiah along with Ms Dharani re-garlanded the statue," a source disclosed.
This incident came to light, when the Tamil media sought Ms Dharani's reaction to her presence at the event.
