Congress recommends 125 candidates for K’taka Assembly polls

Bengaluru: The Congress Party has reportedly finalized its list of candidates for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections for 123 to 125 constituencies. However, the official release of the list has been delayed, leaving ticket aspirants on edge.

According to party sources. the Central Election Committee, which included AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, held a long meeting to discuss the list of candidates recommended by the screening committee. Out of the 69 sitting MLAs of the Congress, all but five have been reportedly guaranteed tickets for the upcoming election.

It has been decided to take up the selection process of candidates for the remaining constituencies after the release of the first list, sources added. The first list of candidates is likely to be released after Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Belagavi on March 20, coinciding with the Ugadi festival.

In a sign of unity, state leaders DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah have jointly decided on the selection of candidates, with Kharge reportedly leaving most of the choice to the discretion of state leaders.

The Congress party has also indicated that there is an opportunity for new faces to join the party and contest elections.

A discussion was reportedly held on the selection of candidates for constituencies represented by current MLAs who are facing fierce competition from the JDS and BJP in some areas. In such constituencies, there is a fear of a backlash if the candidates are changed at this stage.