Bangalore North Cong MLAs seek redress of grievances

Bengaluru: In a precondition of sorts, Congress legislators from Bangalore North Lok Sabha seat on Saturday, March 16 said that Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will have to address their constituency-related issues, a day after announcing they will work together for JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda’s victory, if he contests from the constituency.

Congress leaders from Bangalore North met legislature party leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and requested his mediation.

“Seven of us- five Congress and two from JD(S) are together. Let there be no doubt about victory of our (coalition) candidate. We will all work together, but personally there are some issues related to our constituency,”Yeshwanthpur MLA S T Somashekar said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with CLP leader Siddaramaiah, he said, “We have asked for his mediation in solving those issues.”

If we are convinced that our issues will be solved, we have assured him (Siddaramaiah) that we will abide by AICC’s decision hundred per cent,” he said, while noting that Congress and JD(S) have bitterly fought against each other in the past.

Congress legislators from Bangalore North after a joint meeting with two JD(S) MLAs from the constituency on Friday had said they will work for the victory of Gowda, if he contests as the regional party’s candidate.

According to the seat-sharing arrangement reached by coalition partners, Bangalore North that is currently represented by Union Minister Sadananda Gowda of BJP, has gone to JD(S).

Out of eight assembly constituencies in Bangalore North five are with Congress, two with JD(S) and one with BJP.

Somashekar said he along with other Congress MLAs will meet Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao in this regard.

“If our issues are solved, we will hundred per cent work together, we have brought to our leadership’s notice,” he said, adding that a meeting involving Kumaraswamy, Deve Gowda along with CLP leader Siddaramaiah was crucial for this.

Transfer of Congress’ votes to JD(S) is said to be key for the regional party’s victory in the constituency that is dominated by Vokkaligas, migrant population, as also minorities.

Speculation is rife that Deve Gowda, who has handed over his constituency, Hassan, to grandson Prajwal Revanna will be contesting from either Bangalore North or Tumkur constituency.

However, Gowda is yet to decide about the constituency that he will be contesting from.

Gowda had earlier indicated that he may not contest polls, citing age as the reason.