Karnataka: Congress clears Kondajji Mohan, Lingappa, Ramesh for Legislative Council

BENGALURU: The long wait for aspirants awaiting nomination to the Legislative Council could end soon as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, forwarded three names, including two of his camp followers, to Governor Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister forwarded the names of P.R. Ramesh, C.M. Lingappa and Kondajji Mohan after formal approval by leaders of AICC, and keeping in mind caste equations: one OBC, one Vokkaliga and one Lingayat. Former minister, H.M. Revanna, MLC, who was in New Delhi to follow up on the nominations, confirmed the development to DC.

Meanwhile, Mr K P Nanjundi, who lost out to Mr Ramesh, issued a statement announcing his decision to launch a state-wide agitation in case his name does not figure in the list. Sources in the party, however, clarified that Mr Nanjundi’s name was deleted by central leaders in New Delhi and not by the Chief Minister as charged by the unsuccessful aspirant.

He had lamented the fact that he made a mistake by supporting the Congress. Mr Nanjundi belongs to Vishwakarma community involved in craftsmanship of ornaments. Among those chosen for nomination, Mr Mohan, a Lingayat, is a relative of the late Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa while Mr Lingappa, a Vokkaliga, was backed by energy minister D K Shivakumar.

He has the reputation of a giant killer, having defeated actor-politician M H Ambareesh in a bypoll in Ramanagara in late ‘90s. Mr Ramesh who comes from Tigala community which has no representation in the legislature after N.L. Narendra Babu lost in last Assembly elections.

Mr Mohan who has produced films, and associated with theatre movement besides being a jury of film festival, was recommended under the film/art category.