Ex-mayor Ramesh locks horns with PWD minister over CV Raman Nagar ticket
Bengaluru: While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is said to be keen on fielding Public Works Minister, Dr H.C. Mahadevappa from C V Raman Nagar in Bengaluru for the coming assembly poll, the possibility has raised the hackles of a host of local leaders, including a rival contender for the ticket, P Ramesh, a former Mayor of the city.
Loyalists of both the Minister and the Mayor have put up flex boards across the constituency seeking support for their respective candidates and around 200 local Congress leaders, including block unit presidents of C V Raman Nagar, recently met Mr Siddaramaiah to plead with him not to opt for Dr Mahadevappa over Mr Ramesh.
The Chief Minister reportedly promised to discuss the issue with KPCC president, Dr G Parameshwar, at an appropriate time, but is believed to be keen on fielding Dr Mahadevappa from the constituency, which has been represented for the last 15 years by BJP strongman, S Raghu. Mr Siddaramaiah reportedly hopes Dr Mahadevappa will be able to end his victory run of over a decade.
But Mr Ramesh’s supporters don’t think he has it in him to win from the constituency.
“We will oppose the para-dropping of Dr Mahadevappa in C V Raman Nagar. The Minister wants to contest from here as he is not confident of winning from T Narasipur in Mysuru district. But he will lose here too,” declared Mr Ramesh, speaking to Deccan Chronicle.
The former Mayor said he had been nurturing the constituency for the last four -and- a- half years and while the PWD Minister was a known face across the state, he was new to C V Raman Nagar.
“I have been promised nomination to the Legislative Council, but I don't want it. The coming poll battle will see Raghu versus Ramesh. People want me to contest as an independent if Mr Siddaramaiah imposes his Man Friday on C V Raman Nagar," he warned.
Meanwhile, sources close to the Chief Minister said Dr Mahadevappa was trying to persuade the party high command to give his son a ticket from T Narasipur and allow him to contest from Nanjangud.
