Bengaluru: The state Congress seems to be making efforts to tie up the loose ends before the Lok Sabha polls so that the move could help the party win more seats in the elections. The AICC general secretary in charge for Karnataka K.C. Venugopal sent a clear message to this effect at a meeting held at the party headquarters here on Friday. Former MP and MLA, Jayaprakash Hegde from Dakshina Kannada, former MLAs from Chikkamagaluru, Srinivas, Shivashankarappa and Muddu Krishna may be approached and brought back to the party.
The meeting was also attended by former CM, Siddaramaiah, KPCC president, Dinesh Gundurao and working president, Eshwar Khandre besides leaders from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. In the meeting, former minister, Ramanath Rai expressed his willingness to contest the Lok Sabha polls. The leaders who attended the meeting felt that the Congress has a good chance to win back the Mangaluru seat.
Following the meeting, Congress MLC Ivan D'Souza told reporters that a committee under the leadership of Ramanth Rai was set up. Mr Rai said he would not betray the party which had given him everything. "If the party says I should contest the Lok Sabha elections, I will. Otherwise I will work for the others," he said. Mr Venugopal also held a separate meeting of Shivamogga and Mysuru district Congress leaders.
