I’ll file nomination as Cong candidate: Tumkur MP

In a new twist to Karnataka’s coalition politics, Congress’ incumbent Lok Sabha member SP Muddahanumegowda announced on Saturday that he will file his nomination as the Congress’ candidate for the Tumkur seat that has been ceded to the JD(S).

“At 11 am on Monday, I will hold a rally starting from the BGS Circle and proceed to file my nomination as a Congress candidate,” Muddahanumegowda announced amid loud cheering by his supporters.

Tumkur is one of the eight Lok Sabha seats conceded to the JD(S) as part of the seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress. In fact, JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda is said to be considering contesting from Tumkur.

However, this has caused heartburn as Tumkur, represented by the Congress, was conceded to the JD(S) despite a decision that none of the nine incumbent Congress seats will be conceded to the regional party. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has rallied behind Muddahanumegowda, mounting pressure on the party leadership to retain the Tumkur seat.

“I'm confident that my party leaders and coalition leaders will understand the pulse of Tumakuru's voters and reconsider their decision to concede the seat to JD(S),” Muddahanumegowda said.

When asked if he was going against coalition dharma, Muddahanumegowda asserted: “I’m a sitting MP and I’ve delivered on the floor of the House. Why have I been denied the ticket? Fielding me is the true coalition dharma.”

Muddahanumegowda said in the event that the Congress did not give him the ‘B’ form - proof that a particular candidate is put up by a political party - he would announce an appropriate decision on Monday.

The Tumkur imbroglio adds to the woes of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, which is facing dissidence at the grassroots level in several other constituencies, including Mandya and Hassan where the two parties have been bitter rivals for decades.