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Muddahanumegowda’s decision goes against the seat sharing arrangement reached between the Congress and JD(S), according to which Tumkur seat has gone to the regional party.
“All our leaders, workers and elected representatives unanimously have urged me that I have to contest. On Monday I will file my nomination as Congress party candidate,” he said.
Speaking to reporters after meeting his supporters in Tumkur, he said he has faith that the Congress and coalition party leaders understand the feelings of the people of the constituency and reconsider their decision.
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As soon as the seat sharing was announced, Muddahanumegowda along with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, who hails from Tumkur, had requested the JD(S) to give the seat back to the Congress, amid simmering discontent within the party’s local leadership about ceding the seat tothe alliance partner.
They had also requested the Congress high command to renegotiate the seat with the JD(S), as the grand old party had earlier decided that all the sitting members, including Muddahanumegowda from Tumkur will get the ticket.
Asked what he would do if he doesn’t get the Congress ticket, Muddahanumegowda said, “I will tell (about next move) on that day (Monday), it is confirmed that I will file my nomination on Monday.”
According to sources, JD(S) bagged Tumkur seat, dominated by Vokkaliga community- its major vote bank, after a hard bargain as the Congress had decided not to cede constituencies where the party has sitting MPs to the JDS.
Responding to a question about following coalition dharma, Muddahanumegowda got emotional and said, “Is it coalition dharma.. I’m sitting member of Parliament, I have delivered on the floor of the House.”
“Why shouldn’t I be allowed to contest election? Why have you denied ticket tome?… It isnot correct.Coalition dharma also means once again fielding able and active parliament member,” he added.
BJP has fielded G S Basavaraj as its candidate from Tumkur.
Earlier there were reports that if Deve Gowda decides not to contest the polls or opts for Bangalore North constituency, JD(S) may offer Muddahanumegowda ticket from the party.
Gowda, who has not made public his decision to contest polls and the constituency, has met several JD(S) leaders fromTumkur during the last two days, giving rise to the speculation that he will contest from the seat.
The JDS supremo has ceded Hassan seat that he had been representing to his grandson Prajwal Revanna.