None in Cong has key as BJP MLAs knock its doors

With the BJP becoming a divided house, the Congress has emerged as the alternative choice for some of the BJP legislators for tickets to test their electoral luck next time.

But there is so much confusion in the Congress that there is none to decide whether the party hoppers should be entertained. There is also resistance from many Congress leaders to allowing ‘outsiders’ into the party.

The five Independent MLAs recently met former union minister S M Krishna seeking his help to get Congress tickets to contest the next Assembly elections. Meanwhile, C S Putte Gowda, JD(S) MLA from Shravanabelagola and former MLA H M Vishwanath of the JD(S) have been waiting for the green signal from the Congress to join the party.

On November 11, both of them openly criticised H D Revanna for his style of functioning. It is said Gowda is sure of not getting the JD(S) ticket as the party is inclined to field a relative of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. In 2008 itself, the party was not too keen on fielding Putte Gowda, it is said. For now, their entry into the Congress is yet to be confirmed.

A Manju, Congress MLA from Arakalgud, last week resisted the entry of former IAS officer Puttaswamy into the party. The KPCC had to stall the process of inducting him.

The Independent MLAs met Krishna last week, though he has no position as such in the KPCC, and when G Parameshwara is the president. Sources in the Congress said the party may not entertain ‘outsiders’ in Hosadurga and Challakere of Chitradurga district.

It is also rumoured that a BJP MLA from Uttara Kannada district is knocking on the doors of the Congress. Not less than 15 BJP legislators are trying their best to get into the Congress, BJP sources said.

While some from the BJP are rallying behind Siddaramaiah, some are seeking the help of the union ministers, including Mallikarjun Kharge and K H Muniyappa. But none of the Congress leaders is in a position to take decisions or promise anything as they are not sure who should take the final call on such matters.

Leaders in the Congress are not sure whether party chief Sonia Gandhi will effect changes at the office-bearers level in the State. In case Krishna gets some position or Madhusudan Mistry, in-charge of party affairs of Karnataka and AICC general secretary, is replaced, then Parameshwara may not be taking independent decisions.

The Congress has also not announced its stand either on allowing ‘outsiders’ to the party fold or joining hands with regional parties, pre or post the elections. However, Siddaramaiah has declared that there is no question of taking the help of Yeddyurappa as the Congress had fought against him on the issue of corruption.