KOLAR: Though most rebel candidates have withdrawn from the contest, rebellion is discernible in some constituencies of Kolar and Chickballapur districts. Though the Congress, the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) have heaved a sigh of relief following the withdrawal of rebels from the fray, the latter, who are contesting as independents, seem poised to give sleepless nights to some official candidates.

It was particularly so in the headquarters of the two districts. While R. Varthur Prakash remains in the fray against the former Minister K. Srinivas Gowda, official nominee of the Congress in Kolar Assembly segment, it is G.H. Nagaraj against the Congress candidate S.V. Ashwathnarayan Reddy in Chickballapur constituency.

Despite the Congress’ attempt to play down the presence of Mr. Varthur Prakash in Kolar, the latter is considered as a formidable rival to the official candidate. Not heeding the advice of the party leadership, Mr. Varthur Prakash has chosen to remain in the fray saying he will give a tough fight to the three-time MLA, Mr. Srinivas Gowda.

“My social work in the constituency which includes distributing free books to poor students, financial aid to women’s self-help groups are the basis for my confidence,” says Mr. Varthur Prakash.

Besides, the hold over the Kolar City Municipal Council, which is being ruled by supporters of Mr. Varthur Prakash, is expected to give an edge to the latter in the urban area tilting the balance in his favour, according to political observers.

“Voters are wise and aware about the evils of the role of money power in politics,” was the argument put forth by Mr. Srinivas Gowda’s camp.

Chickballapur is another constituency where the Congress is likely to feel the heat of rebellion. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) member G.H. Nagaraj, a close relative of MP, R.L. Jalappa, has preferred to remain in the fray as an independent.

Though the withdrawal by another KPCC member, C. Anjanappa, from the fray has provided some respite to the Congress leadership, Mr. Nagaraj’s presence is expected to pester it in the constituency.

In Malur too, the former MLA, A. Nagaraj, has raised the banner of revolt.

He is pitted against J. Krishna Sing, official nominee of the Congress. Block Congress president R. Ashok remains in the fray against the Congress candidate N.H. Shivshankar Reddy in Gowribidnur.

Doddachowdappa is the rebel candidate of the Congress in Mulbagal constituency. Social worker S.N. Subba Reddy’s withdrawal in Bagepalli too has reduced to some extent the burden of dissidence in the Congress. Likewise, Ramachandrappa’s withdrawal in Kolar Gold Field (Scheduled Castes) segment has brought back the smiles on the faces of senior Congress leaders.

The presence of rebels is likely to affect the Congress in at least a couple of constituencies.

Denied ticket, three senior leaders desert Congress

T.V. Sivanandan

GULBARGA: The Congress suffered a jolt in its bid to recapture its hold in the Hyderabad Karnataka region in the Assembly elections with the resignation of three senior leaders, including the former Ministers, Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli and Basavaraj Patil Attur, and the reported decision of the former MLA from Surpur, Raju Gowda, and the former MLC, Vittal Heroor, who recently joined the Congress after quitting the Janata Dal (Secular), to resign from the party.

Miffed by the rejection of their claims for party ticket, the three leaders decided to part ways with the Congress.

While Mr. Nagamarapalli had sought the party ticket from Bidar after his traditional constituency Aurad was reserved for Scheduled Castes in the delimitation process in Bidar district, Mr. Attur had sought re-nomination from Basavakalyan and Mr. Heroor, a respected leader of the Kabbaliga community, had sought ticket from Afzalpur constituency in Gulbarga district and Mr. Raju Gowda sought the ticket from Surpur constituency.

The four leaders, after getting clear signals that their claims would not be entertained by the party, had decided to resign.

While Mr. Attur has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Heroor and Mr. Raju Gowda are likely to follow him. Mr. Attur is likely to be nominated as BJP candidate from Basavakalyan.

Mr. Nagamarapalli has not yet decided on his future course of action.

Mr. Heroor has decided to resign from the party after it was made known to him by the party leaders that the party ticket has been given to the former Minister, Malikayya Guttedar.

Mr. Raju Gowda decided to resign after the party indicated that the ticket would be given to Raja Venkatappa Naik.

The resignation of Mr. Nagamarapalli and Mr. Attur, two senior Lingayat leaders, from the Congress is likely to alienate the powerful Lingayat community from the party in the region.

However, not many senior leaders from Congress have ditched it in Raichur or Koppal districts.

Tacit understanding

BANGALORE: BJP chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa on Monday alleged that the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) had entered into a tacit understanding for the elections. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Yeddyur-appa said that the “nature of selection of candidates” by the two parties showed that they had a tacit understanding.