Karnataka: Congress picks Baraguru, Nanjundi for Legislative Council

BENGALURU: Leaders of the ruling Congress have evidently short-listed two of the three candidates to be nominated to the Legislative Council. While three vacancies exist in the nomination category, sources in Congress said the central leadership reportedly favoured Kannada writer and thinker, Baraguru Ramachandrappa and entrepreneur K.P. Nanjundi, the latter known for his proximity to several leaders including former Union minister Oscar Fernandes.

Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, reportedly batted for playwright and critic Dr M. Marulasiddappa under the litterateur’s category, but party leader in Lok Sabha, M Mallikarjun Kharge had his way in securing the go-ahead for nomination of Mr Ramachandrappa. Similarly, Mr Nanjundi, an entrepreneur and gold merchant, could make it in “social service” category.

For the third nomination, meant for a celebrity from the tinsel world, Mr Siddaramaiah and KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar have a tough task on hand as actresses Bhavana, Bhavya and others are among the aspirants, sources added.