CM's upcoming visit creates sensation in Kodagu DCC

Backstage activities are in full swing for the district Congress members, as the day of the visit of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other ministers, is nearing.

The chief minister's visit to the district ahead of Assembly elections is considered significant.

The chief minister and other ministers will take part in the 'Sadhana Sambhrama' programme to be held at General Thimmaiah Stadium in Madikeri on January 9. The upcoming visit of the chief minister has sprouted many expectations in the minds of the Congress workers. Even as the programme in which the chief minister will attend is a government programme, the discussions on the elections preparations are likely to take place in party cadres.

Siddaramaiah will arrive in Madikeri at 11.30 even though the programme is scheduled at 3.30- pm.

Tough contest for tickets

The names of candidates for Madikeri and Virajpet seats are still not finalised and many ticket aspirants are waiting in the wings. The related issues are most likely to come up in the internal meeting of the party, during the chief minister's visit.

As MLC Veena Acchaiah has expressed her unwillingness to contest in the elections, the competition for the ticket from Virajpet constituency has turned tougher. B T Pradeep, who contested from the constituency during the last elections, had lost by 3,414 votes. Rumour has it that a search for an able candidate is on, after Pradeep's demise.

Forest Development Corporation vice president Padmini Ponnappa, minister M R Seetharam's personal secretary Harihs Bopanna, Karnataka Kodava Sahitya Academy former chairperson B S Thammaiah, Zilla Panchayat member Saritha Poonaccha and District Congress Committee president Shivu Madappa are the main aspirants from Virajpet.

Many more are eyeing the Madikeri constituency. The names of the Somwarpet Block Congress president K M Lokesh, entrepreneur Napanda Muttappa and advocate Chandramouli are surfacing in this context. KPCC general secretary and Zilla Panchayat member K P Chandrakala too, is willing to contest. Kumuda Dharmappa has already approached the High Command for the ticket, according to party sources.

Siddaramaiah is likely to talk to the Congress workers, before finalising the names of candidates.

Agitations for separate taluks

Agitations for the formation of Cauvery and Ponnampet taluks, which are going on from the last 125 days, are likely to have an impact on the chief minister's visit.

The protesters have been demanding the announcement of the two hoblis as new taluks. Three bandhs have already been conducted in Kushalnagar. The agitators have been looking forward to their demands being fulfilled with the chief minister's visit.

The newly announced 50 taluks will function officially in the next 15 days.