Rahul ignores clamour for southern contest

Congress President Rahul Gandhi didn’t respond to an appeal made by a few state Congress leaders that he should contest from a Lok Sabha segment in Karnataka.

At the Parivartan rally here on Monday, Rahul chose not to respond to the appeal made by KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao.

The past few days had witnessed a clamour in the state Congress that Rahul should contest from Karnataka. His grandmother Indira Gandhi had taken a political rebirth in Karnataka while mother Sonia Gandhi, too, won from the Bellary Lok Sabha constituency earlier.

Dinesh Gundurao is said to have written in this regard to Rahul earlier. KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandre had also said that Rahul was welcome to contest from Bidar. Several Congress leaders issued statements that they would ensure the victory of Rahul if he contests from any segment in the state.

At the election rally here on Monday, Dinesh Gundurao openly invited Rahul to contest from an LS constituency in Karnataka and become a voice from South India. The party workers raised their hands in support when Gundurao asked if they wanted him (Rahul) to contest from the state.

However, former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge didn't mention the issue during their speech. Rahul Gandhi too, skipped the matter when he spoke.