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Siddaramaiah, Dr G to blame for rebels?

A blame game seems to have commenced in the ruling Congress.
BENGALURU: A blame game seems to have commenced in the ruling Congress after “two prominent” candidates Dayananda Reddy and Jayaprakash Hegde, both rebels, remained in the fray for polls to the Council. Several leaders blamed CM Siddaramaiah and KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar for not doing enough to stop these rebels from submitting their nomination papers, thus giving an opportunity for the BJP to increase its tally in the polls. While Mr Hegde has been a close associate of Mr Siddaramaiah, Mr Reddy is Dr Parameshwar’s supporter, rued sources in the Congress.
It is learnt that Dr Parameshwar batted in favour of Mr Reddy as an independent while Mr Siddaramaiah had backed Mr. Hegde for Dakshin Kannada and Udupi Local Authority constituency. However, the party rejected their recommendations. Speaking to DC, a senior leader said neither Dr Parameshwar nor Mr Siddaramaiah “worked hard” to resolve the crisis instead allowed it to fester.
“Mr Reddy and Mr Hegde were asking for concrete assurances from the party’s central leaders that they will be accommodated during the next round of nominations to the Council, but neither Mr Siddaramaiah nor Dr Parameshwar were willing to give an assurance. Instead allowed the problem to fester,” he said. “While the CM could not go ballistic as Congress candidate was hand-picked by none other than Congress veteran, Oscar Fernandes. Therefore, did not take any steps at this juncture instead allowed their respective nominees to be rebel thinking that in the event if these rebel wins, they can always be welcomed with open arms to the party fold,” the leader quipped.
Meanwhile, another candidate from Hubballi, Nagaraj Chebbi as asked to withdraw from the contest though the party had earlier decided to field as the official candidate. The party, realising that it may not win both the seats, had changed its mind and decided to contest only one seat. However, Mr Chebbi, did not heed Mr Siddaramaiah who tried his best to convince the former to withdraw papers. Udupi DCC president, Bhujang Shetty, who entered the fray as rebel, was the only one who withdrew nomination papers on Saturday.
Harikrishna Bantwal who was a rebel in Mangaluru, did not withdraw his papers, even after his mentor B. Janardhan Poojary appealed to him to heed the party leaders and withdraw.
Siddu pooh-poohs JD(S), BJP victory claims:
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched his party’s campaign for polls to the Council with a blistering attack on leaders of JD(S) and BJP for claiming that their parties would win maximum number of seats in polls scheduled for December 27.
“The Congress stands first with the highest number voters in Mysuru-Chamarajnagar constituency, making it easier for our candidate to win. And since it also happens to be my home turf, he must win for cent percent,” he told party workers at a convention of elected representatives of Mysuru City and Mysuru rural districts here on here on Saturday.
He said: “There are 7,600 voters in Mysuru-Chamarajnagar constituency. We have the support of 4,000 voters, including gram panchayat members here. These panchayat members were either supported by our party or they were our party workers though no symbols were used. So we can win easily. While our party leads in the district, JD(S) stands second, and BJP occupies the third place. So our candidate can win easily in the first round itself,” he added.
He clarified that the party did not forge an alliance with any of the parties. “Though there were chances of fielding two candidates in at least five constituencies including Mysuru-Chamarajnagar, we have not done that in order to avoid unnecessary confusion among voters. Though leaders of BJP and JD(S) are claiming that they will win the elections, they cannot win at any cost,” he added. He later addressed a convention at Chamarajnagar.

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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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