Congress fights Katti might in Chikkodi

Belgaum: The Congress party is struggling to find a potential candidate in Chikkodi parliamentary constituency from where former Union minister, late B Shankaranand (Congress) had created a record of sorts by winning seven times in a row. After the victory of BJP candidates in the last two parliament polls, the Congress has become weak here.

A section of Congress top leaders are in favour of fielding one of the Jarkiholi brothers of Gokak from Chikkodi to give a tough challenge to sitting MP Ramesh Katti of BJP. 

Some Congressmen are rallying behind former minister A.B. Patil and youth leader Amit Kore.

After the death of Shankaranand, BJP's Ramesh Jigajinagi emerged as MP from Chikkodi and later Katti won the seat as the first MP after the reorganisation of constituencies.

Due to his involvement in several cooperative organisations, Katti has emerged as a popular leader in Chikkodi and is certain to be the BJP's candidate.

The Congress has no potential leader other than Lakhan Jarkiholi, youngest of the Jarkiholi brothers from Chikkodi. A.B. Patil, thrice MLA from Hukkeri, Amit Kore, son of Rajya Sabha MP Prabhakar Kore and Omprakash Kanagali, son of Shankaranand  are also in the race for the Congress ticket.

The Jarkiholis are reluctant to contest the elections and are supporting A.B. Patil, according to sources. Minister Prakash Hukkeri from Chikkodi is also backing Patil as Patil and Katti have been traditional political rivals in Chikkodi for a long time.

Although, Amit Kore is an able youth leader, he lacks experience. Some Congress leaders may oppose his candidature because of his father's association with BJP. According to top Congress party sources, the party may delay its announcement in the event of Jarkiholis backing off.

The Chikkodi constituency comprises assembly constituencies of Chyikkodi, Nipani, Hukkeri, Yamkanmardi, Raibag, Athani, Kudchi and Kagwad of which Yamkanmardi and Chikkodi have Congress MLAs.