Davanagere bypoll: Congress' Sadiq Pailwan announces candidature as rebel candidate

Davanagere: It is now official that Congress leader Sadiq Pailwan has decided to face the by-elections to Davanagere South assembly constituency as Congress rebel candidate.

He announced the decision after holding a meeting with his supporters after the party announced that Samartha Shamanur is the Congress candidate for the Davangere South bypolls.

He said he was saddened by the fact that the leaders of the minority community have lost the Congress ticket. "I will file my nomination as a rebel candidate of the Congress on March 23."

He said "I have been demanding a Congress ticket since 2013. The leaders of the minorities and backward classes who are strong in the constituency are being consciously neglected. I am ready to enter the by-election fray on the demand of the voters," he informed.

"As a national-level wrestler, I know the pitfalls of playing in the arena. I will not take back the step I have taken. I will not yield to any pressure. I am confident of winning by touring the constituency and convincing the voters," he added.

Sadiq Pailwan, who had demanded a ticket, had filed his nomination on Friday without a ‘B’ form.

He recalled that the party high command had assured that it would allow leaders from minority communities to contest the bypolls.

He also warned that the Muslim community will teach the Congress party a lesson in the upcoming elections.