Karnataka bypolls: Cong's 2nd list to be out on Nov 13

The state Congress unit will finalise the list of candidates for the remaining seven seats for Assembly bypolls in the next two days. The decision was taken at a meeting of KPCC election observers, chaired by party president Dinesh Gundu Rao, here on Sunday.

During the meeting, even as the list of probables for the constituencies were discussed, Siddaramaiah attracted criticism from some Congress leaders over his ‘unilateral decisions’ regarding the selection of candidates.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting, opposition leader Siddaramaiah said that the party had already announced eight of the 15 candidates and discussions were held to chose the remaining ones. “There are no changes in the eight candidates for bypolls announced earlier. Candidates for the seven other constituencies were discussed today (Sunday) and a final call will be made in the next couple of days,” he said.

The party leaders will meet in Bengaluru at 9 am on Monday on the said issue.

The list of candidates picked by the state Congress unit will be sent to the party high command. The party had on Oct 31 announced the names of eight candidates for the December 5 bypoll.

Meanwhile, a section of Congress leaders expressed their displeasure against former chief minister Siddaramaiah, during the meeting, for taking ‘arbitrary’ decisions in issuing party tickets.

Several leaders opposed Rizwan Arshad’s candidature from Shivajinagar constituency at the meeting.

A few Congress leaders are said to have criticised the unilateral decisions of Siddaramaiah while selecting the first eight candidates, alleging that only Siddaramaiah faithfuls has been accommodated.

They urged the party leadership to ensure that candidates suggested by other leaders are also given tickets to contest the polls. Congress leaders also requested the party leadership to ensure that senior leaders in the party are taken into confidence before any decision is made.