Bengaluru: Former Bengaluru Mayor and chairman, D Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Development Corporations, M Ramachandrappa is likely to be nominated to the Legislative Council if Mr Byrathi Suresh is chosen as the Congress candidate for Hebbal Assembly constituency which goes to by-polls on February 13.
Sources close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told DC that Mr Ramachandrappa, a known face in the Congress who belongs to the Kuruba community, may fill the place of Mr Suresh. Being close to the CM, Mr Suresh has almost emerged as a consensus candidate among Congressmen for the Hebbal seat and an announcement to this effect is likely to be made on Tuesday since Wednesday is the last date for filing nominations. Mr Siddaramaiah has been banking on the candidature of Mr Suresh ever since the poll dates were announced. If Mr Suresh contests and wins the by-polls, Mr Ramachandrappa may find his way into the Upper House.
Mr Ramachandrappa enjoys the blessings of national leaders too. In these circumstances, there may not be much opposition to his nomination to the Council.
Majority for Cong: In the 75-member House, both Congress and BJP are tied with 29 members each followed by Janata Dal (Secular) with 11 members, five independents and the chairman. The tenure of two BJP members, Prof P.V. Krishna Bhat and actor-turned-politician Jaggesh will end on February 2. At the state Cabinet meeting on Monday, the Chief Minister was authorized to nominate two members. The ruling party will get a majority in the Upper House once those two seats are filled. This will end the hegemony of the saffron party in the Council in the last 32 months.
Nomination after ZP-TP polls
Sources said Siddaramaiah is likely to discuss candidates for the Council seats only after February 26. Since the code of conduct has been imposed for ZP/TP polls, the government cannot nominate anybody for these two vacant seats till then. With former MP from Mandya, Ramya not keen on becoming an MLC, the CM may think of nominating Dalit writers, intellectuals or sportspersons to these seats
