‘BJP is a ‘sinking ship’ in K’taka, Cong a united force’

 

 

TERMING the BJP as a ‘sinking ship’ in Karnataka which even Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot save, Congress leaders on Tuesday said their party is “united” in the southern State and will ensure the “40 per cent commission” Government is ousted. AICC General Secretary Randeep Surjewala and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also dismissed reports claiming that the latter had pushed his case as a contender for the top post and said his statements to a channel were “misinterpreted”. They said Siddaramaiah had never claimed that he would be the Chief Minister and had only stated that he is a contender and that the party high command would decide after consulting the elected MLAs on who the leader would be.

Siddaramaiah and PCC president D K Shivakumar were in the national capital to attend the party’s central election committee meeting here on Tuesday. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi were present during the meeting, where the leadership discussed the allocation of tickets for the remaining 100 seats.

Nandihalli Halappa, Appaji Gowda join BJP: FORMER Congress MLA Nandihalli Halappa and noted ophthalmologist Dr Appaji Gowda, who is aspiring for a ticket to contest the upcoming election from Kanakapura constituency against Congress state president D K Shivakumar, joined the BJP on Tuesday. Welcoming their entry into the BJP, state unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel said the party got a mighty support in newly-carved Vijayanagara district with arrival of Halappa. AIMIM to field 25 candidates: ASADUDDIN Owaisi-led AIMIM plans to field candidates in about 25 constituencies and is eyeing an electoral alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) in the Assembly elections in Karnataka, the party’s state unit president Osman Ghani said on Tuesday. Party chief Owaisi said: “So far, we have announced three candidates. We are open for alliance. We will definitely contest the elections. Whether we will have an alliance or not, we will have to wait”. State unit chief Ghani said the party is in talks with the JD(S) headed by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda for an alliance but the latter is yet to respond to the offer.