Three Congress women in race for Bagalkot ticket?

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah on Friday held talks with party workers from the Bagalkot district, where he is said to have shortlisted names for the Bagalkot Lok Sabha ticket.

Siddaramaiah, a native of Mysuru, now represents the Badami Assembly constituency in Bagalkot. The Bagalkot Lok Sabha seat is currently represented by the BJP’s P C Gaddigoudar.

Apparently, the party’s cadre from the Bagalkot district expressed support towards Veena Kashappanavar (wife of ex-MLA Vijayanand Kashappanavar), Mahantesh Udapudi, S G Nanjayyana Math (ex-MLA) and Rakshita Iti. Former minister H Y Meti’s daughter Bayakka Meti is also an aspirant.

A panel of names will be sent to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and then to the party’s central screening committee that is scheduled to meet on March 11. The party has already prepared a list of ticket probables for all seats except the 10 that are currently being represented by its MPs.

Miffed Sudhakar meets Siddaramaiah

Chikkaballapur legislator K Sudhakar, who has accused Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, of preventing his appointment as the Karnataka Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) chairperson, met Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday.

In December, the Congress had recommended Sudhakar’s name for the post of KSPCB chairperson, but Kumaraswamy refused to clear it on grounds that he was not qualified. Earlier this week, the government appointed retired principal chief conservator of forests C Jayaram to the post.

It is learnt that Sudhakar vented his ire against Kumaraswamy. Siddaramaiah is said to have consoled Sudhakar, urging him not to take any drastic decision. The former chief minister is said to have asked the MLA to be patient and also refrain from issuing media statements.