Haveri Cong candidate blames Patil for defeat

As a fallout of the Lok Sabha electoral loss, dissidence in the Congress appears to have come out in the open.

On Friday, Congress candidate from Haveri Lok Sabha seat Saleem Ahmed openly criticised Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil for being the “prime reason” for his defeat.

‘Lack of strategies’

Ahmed, who lost the Haveri seat to BJP MP Shivakumar Udasi, alleged that Haveri district in-charge minister H K Patil failed to work out strategies for his victory.

Addressing the media, Ahmed said, “Certain leaders became traitors like Mir Sadiq and worked against me in Gadag and Shirahatti Assembly constituencies. Honest party workers are upset with this.

In the constituency, there are seven Congress MLAs and still I could not win. I will be submitting a report to the high command explaining the reasons for my defeat. It is left to the high command to take action,” he said.