Dinesh says he will support Nilekani's candidature

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said he had recommended businessman U B Venkatesh as candidate from Bangalore South Constituency for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. 

But he would welcome the party’s decision if it fields Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) Chairperson Nandan Nilekani, Dinesh added.

“I had written to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Commitee Election Committee over a month ago that Venkatesh's name be considered. At that time, Nilekani had not made his intention public. Now that he (Nilekani) has expressed his wish to contest the polls, I will support his candidture,” he said here on Thursday.

The Congress, it looks, has given the green signal to Nilekani on his wish to contest the polls from Bangalore South.

Recently, KPCC Election Committee recommended the names of both Nilekani and Venkatesh as probable candidates from the constituency. 

‘Never opposed’

When contacted, Dinesh said he had never opposed Nilekani's candidature.“As UIDAI head, he has contributed immensely for the development of the country. There is no question of me opposing Nilekani. In fact I will welcome if the party decides to field Nilekani,” he added.