Bidar: All three major political aprties—Congress, BJP and JD(S)—are busy scouting for a strong candidate for the Bidar Lok Sabha seat with the polls fast appraching.
Though the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has recommended only one name—that of incumbent Lok Sabha Member and former CM N Dharam Singh, speculation is rife that the high command is also toying with the idea of dropping Singh in view of his poor health.
Singh, who is 76, is now unable to walk without support. In view of his poor health, he had kept away from the campaign in the recent Assembly election, including Jewargi constituency, where his son Dr Ajay Singh had a tough fight with rival candidates.
Another factor that may go against Singh this time is the demand for fielding a Muslim candidate. In view of the high concentration of Muslims (Nearly 19%) in Bidar, Muslim leaders feel Singh should make way for a community leader. What could work in Singh’s favour is the fact that there is no other strong leader who could influence voters.
Singh however rubbished rumours and made it clear that he wants to contest the elections from Bidar again. “I will withdraw from the contest if AICC president Sonia Gandhi asks me to,” he told reporters and denied rumours that he was retiring to make way for someone else.
