Hubballi: The Congress is facing a dilemma in finalizing the candidate for Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency when other candidates have already started hectic campaigns with the election scheduled to be held in the second phase on April 23.
A group of Congressmen are reportedly trying to deny the ticket to former minister Vinay Kulkarni who is lobbying hard to contest for the second time against BJP MP Pralhad Joshi. It is said that the announcement of his candidature is getting delayed as his rival group in the party is exerting pressure on the high command citing allegations against him in connection with the murder of a Zilla Panchayat member.
Last week, the high court had allowed a trial court to consider a fresh application filed by a witness after his petition was rejected by the lower court. The building collapse tragedy in Dharwad that claimed 19 lives may also become a thorn in the flesh of Kulkarni as his father-in-law was one of the partners of the under-construction building. Moreover, the wife of the Congress leader had performed pooja for the ground breaking ceremony for the commercial complex.
Meanwhile, Muslim leaders are demanding the ticket for a second candidate from their community after Rizwan Arshad was fielded from Bengaluru Central constituency. They are pressuring the party high command to field Congress leader I.G. Sanadi’s son Shakir Sanadi from Dharwad. But, Home Minister M.B. Patil is lobbying for Kulkarni who was in the forefront of the Lingayat movement seeking separate religion status for the community. Kulkarni is also said to enjoy the support of Siddaramaiah.
Congress workers in Dharwad are worried over the delay in announcement of the candidate.
“There is no time left for campaigning as filing of nominations has already begun. We have not held even a single meeting to discuss preparations for the elections as our leader is camping in Bengaluru. It will be a tough task to fight against three-time MP Pralhad Joshi if there is any further delay in giving the ticket”, said KPCC backward class development cell general secretary Anand Singanath.
