Cong rebels face expulsion

BANGALORE: A day after KPCC executive committee member Baburao Gadige was expelled from the party for six years, KPCC president B Janardhana Poojary on Sunday threatened all rebel candidates for the upcoming MLC polls with a worse fate —- expulsion for life.
Speaking to reporters here after a meeting with BCC corporators, Poojary said: "All 11 rebel candidates in eight constituencies should withdraw their nominations within tomorrow.Otherwise they will be expelled for life from the party."
Monday is the last date for withdrawal of candidature for the December 1 polls. Defending the selection of party candidates, including relatives of leaders like chief minister S M Krishna and urban development minister D K Shivakumar, Poojary said: "We have only given tickets to disciplined party workers, not to anyone else."
Krishna''s brother S M Shankar, party candidate from Mandya, was block Congress president and had served the party for several years. Slain Karwar MLA Vasant Asnotikar''s wife Sumalatha was given the ticket on compassionate grounds as was ailing party MP H G Ramulu''s son H R Srinath.
In the case of S Ravi, a relative of Shivakumar, Poojary said: "Ravi''s father and brother served as town municipal corporation chiefs. We also want to build him up as a force to counter JDS leader P.G.R. Sindhia in Kanakapura."