Mangaluru: Will soon end Congress-JD(S) workers’ rift; Dinesh Gundurao

Mangaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundurao on Tuesday expressed confidence over resolving differences between workers of coalition partners with Janata Dal (Secular) president H D Deve Gowda and former chief minister Siddaramaiah set to meet in Mandya, Mysuru and Hassan shortly to iron out these differences.

“When differences exist within the party, it is obvious that some will have difference of opinion when we are fighting the elections as coalition,” he told the media adding that revenue minister R V Deshpande, too, would chair meetings in Uttara Kannada for better coordination between supporters of JD (S) and Congress and work for the success of JD (S) candidate Anand Asnotikar in this coastal constituency.

When asked about AICC member Amrit Shenoy's decision to contest as an independent candidate in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency, Mr Rao said leaders could only explain to him about selection of the candidate. His party workers, however, would support JD(S) candidate Pramod Madhwaraj in Udupi-Chikkamagalur seat.

Mr Rao, who described Congress president Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest from Wayanad as a “proud moment,” recollected that he had suggested the latter to contest from Karnataka.

“I had initially suggested to Rahulji to contest from Karnataka. This had gone viral and similar demands came up from Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” he added.

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