K'taka polls: Cong state unit may forward name of one candidate in majority of seats to CEC

Ahead of Congress central election committee's meeting here tomorrow to pick candidates for the crucial Karnataka Assembly polls, sources said 70 per cent of the 224 seats are such from where only one candidate's name is expected to be proposed by the state unit.

The party sources said that the Congress has already identified several segments where the party's candidates are most likely to emerge victorious, ruling out the possibility of proposing more than one names from there before the CEC, to be chaired by party chief Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress plans to field candidates in all the constituencies, the sources said.

A section of the party workers from the state today insisted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should contest the election from Badami, a relatively safer seat than the Chamundeswhari segment chosen by him. However, sources said a change in his decision was unlikely.

Badami in Bagalkot district is dominated by the Kuruba community to which Siddaramaiah belongs. Siddaramaiah is learnt to have assured them that he will put forward their demand and opinion before the party high command.

There is no bickering inside the party in several segments from where we are going to contest. Around 70 per cent seats are such from where only name is expected to be proposed before the CEC, a source told PTI.

Yes, there are seats from where we have received names of more than one aspirant. All the issues will be discussed at the CEC meeting tomorrow, when the party's first list is likely to be out, the source said.

Siddaramaiah, who is spearheading the party's campaign in the state, is likely to have a big say in the choice of party candidates, the sources said.

The Congress is seeking to retain power in the lone big state under its watch.

The party is facing a challenge from the BJP and H D Deve Gowda-led JD(S).

Polling will be held there on May 12 there, while counting of votes will take place on May 15.