Lok Sabha elections: Congress quells dissent in Kolar; Bagalkot discontent lingers

Even before the party officially declared the candidate for the Kolar seat, five Congress legislators — including Minister for Higher Education Dr MC Sudhakar — threatened to resign from their legislative posts if the party continued with its decision on fielding Minister for Food and Civil Supplies KH Muniyappa’s son-in-law Chikkapeddanna.

In Bagalkot, the Congress is facing rebellion from Hungund MLA Vijayananda Kashappanavar’s wife and Bagalkot Zilla Panchayat former president Veena Kashappanavar after the ticket was given to Samyuktha Patil, the daughter of Minister for Sugar and Textiles Shivananda Patil. Samyuktha is considered an outsider.

Expressing her dissent publicly, Veena threatened to contest as an independent candidate if the party failed to revoke its decision to field Samyuktha from the Bagalkot seat.

Following these developments, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar — also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief — called a meeting to pacify the disgruntled leaders of Kolar and Bagalkot on 28 March.

Also Read: Will DKS become CM of Karnataka? ‘Congress will decide,’ he says

Resolving dissent in Kolar

Amidst growing turmoil within Congress over the decision to award a ticket to a minister’s son-in-law, Siddaramaiah succeeded in resolving the dissent in Kolar but reprimanded legislators for threatening to resign.

Five Kolar legislators — three MLAs, including Minister for Higher Education Dr MC Sudhakar, and two MLCs, including former minister Naseer Ahmed — on 27 March threatened to resign if the party continued with its decision on favouring Minister KH Muniyappa’s son-in-law Chikkapeddanna.

#Karnataka: After five @INCKarnataka legislators threatened to resign over the Kolar (SC) seat candidacy, Karnataka CM @siddaramaiah and Deputy CM @DKShivakumar hold a meeting with district leaders to finalise the candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha seat.

Three MLAs including… pic.twitter.com/GbzMD2FO2b

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) March 28, 2024

Following the dissent, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar called a meeting of the disgruntled leaders — said to be led by former minister Ramesh Kumar’s faction — of Kolar over the ticket issue at his official residence on Thursday evening.

Sudhakar, who was part of the meeting, later told South First: “The chief minister and the deputy chief minister held talks with the party leaders over finalising the candidate for the Kolar seat. They knew everything about the issue.”

He added: “After deliberations, we left it to them to finalise a winnable, suitable, and efficient candidate for the Kolar seat, which will be acceptable to all. We have expressed our opinions.”

On their resignation, he noted: “In the interest and wellbeing of the party, we have decided not to take any decision in haste that could possibly hurt the party’s image. We are not going to repeat it and regret what we did.”

Sudhakar also said: “The party’s central leadership has warned us. We have also issued an apology, which was accepted by the party leadership. We have assured them that this issue will not be escalated further. We will abide by the decisions of the party high command.”

Related: Dissent in Congress as aspirants demand reconsideration of candidates

Muniyappa demands ticket for son-in-law

A day after the meeting, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies KH Muniyappa sought a ticket for his son-in-law Chikkapedanna, considering the winning chances are high.

Muniyappa told reporters in Bengaluru on Friday: “It is not appropriate to give a ticket to the third person. We have not thought about fielding a fresh candidate other than the shortlisted.”

He added: “If the party decides to field the third candidate, denying for Ramesh Kumar’s faction and KH Muniyappa’s faction, then none will work for the party. The candidate will be in jeopardy. I am in deep pain but it is not my priority. Congress is the priority. The Chief Minister’s decision is not linked with the results. If the party gives a ticket to Chikkapeddanna, he might win.”

Muniyappa continued: “The party leadership is managing to quell dissent in other seats but why is it not happening in Kolar? The CM and Deputy CM have the responsibility to resolve the issues. If they are willing then they can resolve the dispute.”

Also Read: Congress won’t win any seat in Karnataka, says BJP’s poll in-charge

Meeting for Bagalkot

Meanwhile, after a meeting with the chief minister did not yield fruitful results, disgruntled ticket aspirant Veena Kashappanavar asserted that she would announce her decision to contest as an independent candidate in a few days.

Enraged and upset over denying a ticket, the former Bagalkot ZP president expressed dissent openly, demanding the party to revoke its decision to Samyuktha Patil, the daughter of Minister for Sugar and Textiles Shivananda Patil.

Siddaramaiah convened a meeting with Veena and her supporters in Bengaluru on Friday night, where he refused to recall the candidate announced for Bagalkot.

Veena told South First: “I am not satisfied with the chief minister’s meeting over the ticket issue. They clearly said that it was impossible to revoke the party’s face in Bagalkot. I am not happy with their decision.”

She added: “I am now trying to stay neutral. I will hold a meeting with my followers and supporters and announce my decision regarding contesting as an independent candidate in four to five days.”

Asked whether none of the MLAs was in her favour of the party ticket, she said: “I campaigned and worked in all the segments during the Assembly polls. They assured me of extending support during the Lok Sabha elections.”

“I am perplexed and shocked. Why are they pulling me back? Why are they not rewarding my efforts? Why are they denying me a ticket?” asked a dismayed Veena.

On whether the candidate reached out to her, she said: “Ever since the ticket was announced neither minister Shivananda Patil nor his daughter Samyuktha met or called me.”

(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)