Not to declare CM candidate is our strategy for K'taka polls: Congress

Since the Congress stands an opportunity to return to power, it was natural there was more demand for tickets in every constituency

With BJP needling it on the issue of naming Chief Ministerial candidate, Congress on Monday said it was its strategy not to declare its choice for the post in the run-up to the May 5 in Karnataka Assembly polls in which it hopes to come back to power.

"We haven't declared our chief ministerial candidate. This is our poll strategy. We have a combined leadership and everybody participates in the election process," KPCC President G Parameshwara told reporters here. Parameshwara was replying to a question on the Congress' reluctance to name its chief ministerial candidate.

The BJP which has announced incumbent Jagadish Shettar as its choice for the CM's post has been taunting the Congress for not coming out with a name. The Congress "has a strong High Command" and it was competent enough to select a leader, Parameshwara said. "All of us will definitely respect their decision," he said. Rubbishing reports about differences between him and senior party leader Siddaramaiah over distribution of tickets, Parameshwara said rival parties were spreading lies to weaken the party. "(Union Minister) Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah and myself are united and there are no differences between us over ticket distribution," he added.

Parameshwara said since the Congress stands an opportunity to return to power, it was but natural there was more demand for tickets in every constituency. He said the party in its first list announced on Friday last has given tickets to those candidates having winning capabilities instead of filial considerations.