Scarcity of ‘winning’ candidates for LS polls worries Cong

Maqsood Maniyar| NT

Bengaluru: While the BJP, which had won 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka in 2019, is seeing many of its sitting MPs 'withdrawing' from the contest, the ruling Congress reportedly lacks 'winnable' candidates in anywhere between 12 and 18 Lok Sabha seats, depending on the personal assessment of different party leaders.

This has once again forced the party to consider fielding ministers in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet even though many of them have said in private that they have no desire to contest the general elections.

The Grand Old Party is also open to fielding charismatic MLAs who may have the clout to poll big numbers in the Lok Sabha elections.

The perceived dearth of strong candidates was discussed in Friday’s meeting of All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leaders held at Indira Bhavan in Bengaluru.

Ministers, especially those in the Siddaramaiah camp aren’t keen on contesting the general elections.

Minister for Sports and Tribal Affairs BL Nagendra, for instance is not intent on contesting while KN Rajanna is an an exception and has reportedly volunteered to contest from the Tumakuru seat.

Many of the ministers do not want to sacrifice their berths – the fruit of their labour in the May, 2023 Assembly polls and try to win elections again.

Jarkiholi, who wants the Belagavi ticket to be handed to his daughter, is being considered for the seat instead.

Mahadevappa, who is an option for Chamarajanagara is backing his son Sunil Bose for the ticket.

Seven-time Kolar MP Muniyappa may be asked to return to the stronghold he lost in 2019.

Minister for Forests and Ecology Eshwar Khandre might be asked to contest from Bidar.