Kolar: Have Union minister K.H. Muniyappa’s detractors within and outside the Congress joined hands to ensure his defeat in Kolar parliamentary constituency? Those who have worked against the six-term Member of Parliament are certain that JD (S) candidate K. Keshava would win by a comfortable margin despite being a greenhorn in politics.
Dr. Sudhakar, a former MLA from Chintamani and former Congressman who along with his followers had worked against Mr. Muniyappa, told this newspaper that they have come together to ensure a victory for JDS candidate Mr. Keshava. “Moreover there about two lakh new voters in Kolar, who are fed up with the working of Mr. Muniyappa voted against him, I believe” he added.
KGF municipal council vice president Das Chinnasavari charged that Mr. Muniyappa, instead of working for revival of Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), and taking up rehabilitation measures for thousands of its ex-employees, attempted to sell the property. “So, people of KGF Assembly segment are disappointed and, voted against him,” he said adding that supporters including ex-MLA Rajendran of RPI and others worked in favour of JDS with the sole intention of defeating Mr. Muniyappa.
When contacted, Naseer Ahmed, Congress MLC, who reportedly adopted a neutral stand instead of participating in the campaign for Mr. Muniyappa, said the Congress candidate would win without any hassles. Asked whether his neutral stand would work against Mr. Muniyappa, he merely said he worked in favour Mr. Muniyappa and that the MP would retain his seat.
Congress district unit president Anil Kumar said that except in Siddlaghatta and Chintamani Assembly segments, the party would get good number of votes. When asked about reports that several leaders within and outside the party worked against Mr. Muniyappa, he admitted that it was true.
He, however, maintained that Dr. Sudhakar has unsuccessfully worked against the Congress in the past. “It is the same this time too. The strategy of Dr. Sudhakar and others will not work”, he added.
