Bengaluru: A screening committee to shortlist candidates of the ruling party for Nanjangud and Gundlupet Assembly bypolls could well remain ineffective as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who hails from Mysuru district, has been vested with powers to select the nominees.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior Congress leader disclosed that an unwritten rule exists in national party. "There is one such rule for each district or region, where the party will be strengthened by one leader. For example, Congress leader in Lok Sabha, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, will have the last word in all matters related to Hyderabad-Karnataka region, where as energy minister D. K. Shivakumar's decision will be final in affairs of the party in Ramanagar and Bengaluru (rural) districts. So, nobody is supposed to interfere with affairs in Mr Siddaramaiah's region, and as both these constituencies are in his backyard, it will be he who will have the final word," the leaded added.
Meanwhile, sources in the party said though the screening committee had endorsed the candidature of PWD minister, Dr H. C. Mahadevappa's son, Sunil Bose, based on "popular demand" of party workers of Nanjangud constituency, Mr Siddaramaiah was reportedly in a dilemma on fielding his confidant's son.
"Therefore, the selection of our candidate has become complicated," sources added.
Sources said Mr Siddaramaiah was playing his cards close to his chest on whom to field in Nanjangud. He merely asked a senior leader to update him on the announcement of bypoll dates when the latter was curious to know about the party's candidate likely to be pitted against former minister V Srinivas Prasad who joined the BJP last week after exiting Congress.
