Karna minister plumps for bizman Venkatesh in Bangalore South

Even as the Congress is mulling fielding Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani for the coming Lok Sabha polls from Bangalore South constituency, Karnataka Consumer Affairs Minister Dinesh Gundurao has shot off a letter asking the party High Command to consider entrepreneur U B Venkatesh for the same constituency.

"One month back, I had written the letter to Madam Sonia Gandhi asking for fielding Venkatesh from Bangalore South constituency," Gundurao told PTI here.

Gundurao, however, clarified that he is not opposed to Nilekani contesting from Bangalore South constituency. "I am not opposed to Nilekani's candidature. In fact, the letter was written a month ago when Nilekani's name was not even in the picture," he said.
 

Asked whether his demand for Venkatesh's candidature still remains in the wake of Nilekani's name doing rounds, Gundurao said, "It is left to the party High Command. I will abide by its decision."

BJP national General Secretary Ananth Kumar is representing Bangalore South and the Congress is hoping to snatch the seat by capitalising on their victory in the May 8 Assembly elections in the state.

Venkatesh, who is a multi-businessman, has experience of working with backward class, a traditional support base for Congress.