KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao held a meeting with leaders from Udupi-Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada constituency. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru leaders clearly told Mr Gundurao that the party had committed a blunder by giving the seat to JD(S) as it had a chance to defeat the BJP if it contested the elections.
Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj who is tipped to be the JD (S) candidate for the constituency, reportedly asked the leaders what he should do as he may have to quit the
Congress and join the JD(S) to become its candidate. Mr Madhwaraj told Mr Gundurao that he was happy to be the coalition candidate and contest on a Congress ticket and said the party should convince the JD (S) to accept this arrangement. Mr Gundurao reportedly said he would discuss the matter with party central leaders.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders and MLAs from Uttara Kannada district too expressed a similar view at a separate meeting with Mr Gundurao. They complained that the party took a wrong decision by giving the seat to the JD (S) which they felt, had no base in the district.
