Samiulla, who initially figured in the first list of official candidates from Jayanagar, was later replaced with M Suresh. Irate Samiulla has remained in the fray as the rebel candidate. He did not withdraw his nominations despite the party warning all rebel candidates.

Similarly, former Congress MLA Muniswamy, who represented Shantinagar twice, has not withdrawn his nomination papers. Other two rebels are Thambi Dorai (Pulakeshi Nagar) and Rajagopala Reddy (Bangalore South).

Samiulla said the party has cheated him by denying him B-form. “My name was announced in the first list. Someone in the party gave wrong information to the high-command saying a criminal case had been booked against me. As a result I was denied B-form. Forget criminal case, not even a petty case has been filed against me. If some criminal attacks my office and kills two, how can anybody come to the conclusion that I have been facing criminal charges,” he asked.

Party leaders approached him requesting to withdraw the nomination papers.  “I did not budge under the pressure. Minority people in the constituency are united and all of them are with me. There are about 55,000 votes of minorities in the constituency. As a corporator I have done many development work and earned goodwill of the public. I will definitely win,” he said.

Similarly, Muniswamy is contesting as Congress rebel candidate from Shantinagar. He said the Congress had done a blunder by denying him ticket. “I have won from Shantinagar twice. It consists of Tamilian population close to 75,000. Being a Tamilian I was the best choice for the constituency. But the party did not consider my candidature. Now it has to pay  price for that,” he said.

He said KPCC president Mallikarjun Kharge called him over phone and requested him to withdraw his nomination papers. Bangalore City Congress president J Alexander and others met him at his residence to persuade him. However, he did not change his mind.