Bangalore: Prompted by a gloomy picture portrayed by an internal assessment, the ruling Congress is toying with the idea of fielding ministers and legislators to bolster its prospects in eight to ten Lok Sabha constituencies.
Sources in the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee told Deccan Chronicle that the party lacked formidable candidates in Bangalore (North), Bangalore (South), Chitradurga, Tumkur, Raichur, Mangalore, Shimoga, Davangere, Haveri, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Chikkodi and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies though 10-15 aspirants were already lobbying for tickets in these constituencies.
Therefore, the party plans to emulate its traditional rival, the BJP, and field heavyweights including ministers and legislators in these constituencies.
“This time, the BJP is planning to field leaders like former deputy chief minister R. Ashoka and leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council D. V. Sadananda Gowda from Bangalore (North) and Mysore Lok Sabha constituencies respectively.
We are planning in a similar manner to improve our tally,” the sources added. The sources said after the party’s dismal performance in four northern states, it could ill afford to ignore the message from the electorate in these states.
“Therefore party is certainly looking at leaders like sugar and muzarai minister Prakash B. Hukkeri and party MLA A. Manju to contest from Chikkodi and Hassan Lok Sabha constituencies respectively,” the sources added.
The sources said the party is likely to field more youngsters, and the names of former minister S. S. Mallikarjun, MLA from Davangere, and Kumar Bangarappa, were doing the rounds for Davangere and Shimoga Lok Sabha seats respectively.
