Cong sitting MP says he will file nomination for seat allotted

Amid reports about JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Tumkur as the ruling alliance candidate, Congress' sitting MP P Muddahanumegowda said Saturday he will file his nomination on Monday as party candidate.

Muddahanumegowda's decision goes against the seat sharing arrangement reached between the Congress and JD(S), according to which Tumkur seat has gone to the regional party.

"All our leaders, workers and elected representatives unanimously have urged me that I have to contest. On Monday I will file my nomination as Congress party candidate," he said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting his supporters in Tumkur, he said he has faith that the Congress and coalition party leaders understand the feelings of the people of the constituency and reconsider their decision.

According to the seat sharing arrangement, of the total 28 seats, Congress will contest 20 and JD(S) 8.

As soon as the seat sharing was announced, Muddahanumegowda along with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who hails from Tumkur, had requested the JD(S) to give the seat back to the Congress, amid simmering discontent within the party's local leadership about ceding the seat tothe alliance partner.

They had also requested the Congress high command to renegotiate the seat with the JD(S), as the grand old party had earlier decided that all the sitting members, including Muddahanumegowda from Tumkur will get the ticket.

Asked what he would do if he doesn't get the Congress ticket, Muddahanumegowda said, "I will tell (about next move) on that day (Monday), it is confirmed that I will file my nomination on Monday."
Responding to a question about following coalition dharma, Muddahanumegowda got emotional and said, "Is it coalition dharma.. I'm sitting member of Parliament, I have delivered on the floor of the House."