Primaries unlikely for two LS seats in State

 The Congress high command seems to be rethinking on holding primaries in two Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka, while giving in principle, approval of 14 names for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

The party’s Central Election Committee meeting chaired by Congress president Sonia Gandhi here on Monday decided to leave the state leaders discretion on whether to hold primaries  or not for Dakshina Kannada and Bangalore North.

With the opposition from a section of leaders from Karnataka to hold primaries, the high command has asked the state leaders to come back with unanimous decision on whether to hold primaries or not in the next meeting of the CEC.

After the party failed to select single candidates in some constituencies across the country including Dakshina Kannada and Bangalore North, it had decided to hold primaries.
“However, when former Union Minister Janardhana Poojary seeking ticket from Dakshina Kannada, a section of party leaders suggested the high command to revisit the issue as it would be insult to senior party leader, who had earlier occupied several top posts in AICC, some leaders suggested.”Even for Bangalore North, the party faced similar situation where IIM professor Rajeev Gowda and many others are seeking tickets. After discussing this issue, the state leaders promised the high command that they would get back soon on whether to go for primary or not, sources said.

Though Rahul asked for holding of a primary for Bangalore Central seat, the state leaders suggested that when former Union minister Jaffer Sharief is a contender it would not be advisable to adopt such method for selecting candidates.