Bangalore: Soon after moves made by the Congress to rope in UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani and make him contest the parliament election on a party ticket, the Congress is reportedly planning to bring in more new faces for the Lok Sabha elections.
All India Congress Committee vice-president Rahul Gandhi's comment that he would revolutionise the party by bringing in people from outside, has led to speculation that many new faces may get tickets in Karnataka too.
However, senior leaders from the state Congress unit are reportedly lobbying hard to secure tickets for their kith and kin.
Almost a dozen senior leaders are reportedly lobbying to make sure their relatives are included in the candidates’ list and this has caused serious heartburn among second rung leaders who were hoping to secure tickets after Gandhi's recent assurance.
In the assembly election too, there was stiff opposition to the party giving tickets to family members of senior politicians.
However, the KPCC had then given tickets to children of senior leaders such as Priyank Kharge son of railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge, Dr Ajai Singh, son of former chief minister Dharam Singh and Vijay Kashappanavar, son of former minister late S.R. Kashappanavar.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader who is an aspirant for a Lok Sabha seat, said. "If our leaders want the party to grow vertically as well as laterally, they have to bring in new faces.”
The functionary added that after the party came to power, the pressure on Chief Minister, Siddaramiah and KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar for tickets has increased manifold.
"Everyone wants a ticket for his son or brother notwithstanding efforts by the high command to ensure a level playing field for all workers.”
