In a bid to end a controversy over the recently concluded Youth Congress elections, KPCC president D K Shivakumar said that he would take both the winners and losers of the election together in the coming days.
“There is no confusion over the results of the election. Due to cases (against Mohammed Nalapad), some decisions were taken,” he said, adding that he too was fighting cases filed by BJP workers. Nalapad had secured the most votes in a prolonged election process but ultimately lost out to Raksha Ramaiah, as he was disqualified.
Attempting to pacify the losing camp, Shivakumar said that he had tasted defeat early in his political career, but had won subsequently. “Winning and losing is not important. Spirit of competition displayed by the candidates is important,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Nalapad, son of Congress MLA N A Haris, said that he realised he was disqualified only after elections were held. “I have appealed (the disqualification) with my leadership. 64,000 people have voted for me and I owe an answer to them,” he said, adding that he has expressed these concerns with the party.
“I am saddened about the developments, as I was disqualified after I fought and won elections,” he said, expressing confidence in the party leadership to sort the issue. Noting that he had not received any official communication from the party about his disqualification, Nalapad added that there was a clause in the nomination form which resulted in the disqualification.
Results of the app-based elections, held from January 10-12, were declared last week and Raksha Ramaiah, son of former minister M R Seetharam emerged as the winner. The last-minute disqualification of Nalapad, who secured around 7,000 votes more than Ramaiah, had triggered a controversy in the state Congress unit.
Published 07 February 2021, 17:28 IST