Lok Sabha elections: All eyes on Muddahanumegowda

BENGALURU: Disregarding pleas from senior Congress leaders,

SP Muddahanumegowda

, the party’s sitting MP, is set to enter the fray from

Tumakuru

seat as an independent. Although he announced on Saturday that he will file his nomination as a Congress candidate, Muddahanumegowda is expected to to contest as an independent, since the Congress cannot give him a B form owing to its pact with the JD(S). The B form is needed to contest on the party’s symbol.


As per the alliance deal, the Congress ceded Tumakuru to the JD(S) and party supremo HD Deve Gowda announced he will contest from the constituency. Gowda is scheduled to file his papers between 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Muddahanumegowda will also file his papers on Monday.

On Sunday, Muddahanumegowda held a series of meetings with supporters to elicit their opinion, even as several senior Congress leaders tried to persuade him against contesting. Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara, who took stock of the political situation, expressed confidence that Muddahanumegowda will abide by the party’s diktat.

“It is quite natural that he (Muddahanumegowda) is upset,” Parameshwara told reporters. “I understand his pain. He was very active in the

Lok Sabha

. I’m sure the Congress will recognise his services and reward him suitably.”

However, rumour suggests Parameshwara is indirectly supporting Muddahanumegowda’s rebellion as the he too is upset with the high command’s decision to cede the seat to the JD(S). “He (Parameshwara) thinks Siddaramaiah is behind the decision,” a source in the Tumakuru Congress said. “Siddaramaiah sacrificed Tumakuru to save Mysuru from going to the JD(S).”

In Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said Muddahanumegowda will toe the party line and not contest the election. Meanwhile, former Congress MLA KN Rajanna announced that he will also contest the election as an independent making things worse for both Congress and the JD(S).