Snub Amid Infighting? Siddaramaiah May Not Get To Contest From Kolar As Second Seat — Report

Veteran Congress leader Siddaramaiah's wish to contest from Kolar constituency in the Karnataka election might not be fulfilled, as the party high command currently has no intentions to field him from two constituencies, sources in the party have told NDTV.

This is apparently "to send a message through the party ranks that every seat is important and every party worker equal."

As of now, the Congress party hasn't declared its candidate for Kolar.

In March, the first list of nominees had named Siddaramaiah for the Varuna Assembly segment.

However, in a recent interview, the former chief minister revealed his willingness to contest from Kolar, though he left the decision to contest from one or two constituencies to the party high command.

His supporters had reportedly conducted a survey of the district and concluded that Siddaramaiah would secure a win there.

"A decision to not field Siddaramaiah from his preferred seat would be seen as a snub to the veteran leader," the NDTV report says.

In an interview with the Delhi channel, Siddaramaiah revealed that he was being urged by the Congress party leaders and workers from Kolar district, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru rural to contest from Kolar.

The party members believed that his candidacy in Kolar would benefit more than 20 surrounding constituencies.

The decision to not field Siddaramaiah from another seat, sources say, followed another leader's demand to contest from two constituencies.

Sources revealed that Dr G Parameshwara, previously deputy chief minister, has been nominated for the Koratgere seat. Despite his desire to contest from the Pulikeshinagar constituency, his party denied him the opportunity. So, Parameshwara questioned why Siddaramaiah had the option to contest two seats.

One of the major hurdles for the Congress party ahead of the election is managing the internal conflicts among state leaders. The party is trying to pose a united front even as, for instance, top state leaders Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar are both vying for the chief minister's post.

The Congress has announced candidates for 166 seats, including 42 on Thursday (6 April). It is yet to name its picks for 58.