Like the ruling BJP, the Opposition Congress too is facing a problem of plenty when it comes to the selection of candidates for the upcoming Legislative Council elections from the Legislative Assembly.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a source in the KPCC said, "Not only KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar, all those involved in candidate selection are facing tremendous pressure.
Dr Parameshwar and Mr Siddaramaiah are leaving for Delhi on Wednesday to finetune the party strategy and seek the consent of the high command to finalise names."
The frontrunners for tickets include former MPs Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi, C.M. Ibrahim, B.L. Shankar and leader of the Opposition C. Motamma.
There are several others too including Prof. B.K. Chandrashekhar, Rani Satish, Dr L. Hanumanthaiah, N. Bosraju, Abdul Wahab, K.C. Kondaiah and V.R. Sudarshan.
"At a recent meeting of its leaders, the KPCC agreed to adopt six yardsticks while selecting candidates.
First, no one will be nominated for a second term. Nor will those who can contest from Assembly constituencies be selected.
Thirdly, tickets will be allotted to only those who have worked for the party. Fourth, potential party workers from regions outside Bengaluru and its surrounding districts will be identified for the seats.
Tickets will be given to only those considered intellectuals and lastly, preference will be given to those from microscopic communities who cannot win even if they are allotted Assembly seats," the source explained.
These yardsticks have been formulated by Congres leaders to checkmate each other's nominees, said sources.
"For instance, if Mr Siddaramaiah proposes a candidate from south Karnataka, another leader from north Karnataka may come up with an equally powerful candidate to counter him. So, it will be left to central leaders to take a decision," the source explained.
JD(S) shortlists 4 candidates
The Opposition Janata Dal (S) which can win one of the eleven seats from the Legislative Assembly constituency in the forthcoming Legislative Council polls, has shortlisted four names for the seat.
JD (S) state unit president H.D. Kumaraswamy said the four shortlisted candidates are Basavangouda Patil Yatnal, Suryanarayana Reddy, C. Narayanaswamy and Afzal Agha.
The final selection has been left to party supreme H.D. Deve Gowda, he added. As for the six extra votes which the party would have after ensuring the win of its candidate, the former CM said:
“Former Chamrajanagar legislator Vatal Nagaraj has approached us for support. We will decide whom to give these six votes depending on the candidates in the fray.”
Motamma unlikely nominee
Congress leaders have given enough hints to leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council C. Motamma that she should concentrate on developing her constituency, Moodigere in Chikmagalur.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a highly placed source said that Ms Motamma has an Assembly constituency where she can contest and win in the next Assembly elections. "She may not get a second term in the Council.
The Congress is also keen on placating the Madiga community, which forms a considerable chunk of Dalit voters.
We cannot afford to ignore this sect anymore. So, we may zero in on someone from this community," the source added.