Ticket hopefuls need to sacrifice: DKS

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar on Friday attempted to forewarn aspirants on the eve of the disclosure of the first list of candidates that many of them would be left disappointed by sending out the message that “sacrifices have to be made for the party”.

Shivakumar pointed out that he had to make do without a ministerial berth during Dharam Singh’s chief ministerial reign from May 2004 to January 2006. He reasoned that aspirants should also be patient if they are left out of the list.

Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Assembly Siddaramaiah had said the list would be out by Friday, which did not come to pass. Moreover, a Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting took place in New Delhi at the AICC headquarters on Friday to finalise the first list which would reportedly bear anywhere between 120 to 150 names. It might be made public by Saturday, according to sources.

Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, KPCC manifesto committee chairman G Parameshwara, Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the Council BK Hariprasad, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, former party president Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, among other heavyweights participated in the meeting.

Intense competition for tickets within the party and fresh inductees, including sitting and former MLAs, staking their claim as well, has made it tough for Shivakumar and co to settle on names even as Rahul Gandhi is all set to visit Belagavi on Sunday.

The state Congress president however, sought to assure sitting MLAs that their performance had been good, which might be a hint that most of them would get the opportunity to retain their seats come May.

 “Not everyone can be pleased. I left my place when Dharam Singh was the chief minister. Srinivas Gowda was brought in and made minister. I had to sit out. Under Siddaramaiah’s government, some others had to sit out. Under some circumstances, you have to sacrifice for the party.” Shivakumar said. “All (Congress) MLAs have worked well,” he added.

Some hopefuls will be inducted in Council: KPCC prez

The KPCC president disclosed that some ticket aspirants in the party might get their wish of becoming lawmakers by being accommodated as MLCs.

“Everyone wishes to be an MLA. We have taken a decision that some people who won’t get tickets will be given preference in the Council. There will be plenty of opportunities when the party comes to power. We won’t abandon people who contribute to the victories of party candidates,” Shivakumar said.