Haveri: Internal discord within the Congress party in Shiggaon seems to have been resolved with Syed Azempeer Khadri withdrawing his nomination on Wednesday.
Khadri had initially filed his nomination as an independent candidate after the Congress fielded Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan from Shiggaon.
Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan played a key role in quelling the rebellion by facilitating a meeting between Khadri and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and other senior leaders. Following the meeting, Khadri withdrew his nomination and declared his support for the party candidate on Wednesday.
“I and Pathan share a Guru-Shishya bond. I will work for the party candidate and ensure we defeat the BJP here,” Khadri told reporters.
Party leaders also said that former MP and MLA Manjunath Kunnur, who had rebelled and filed his nomination as an independent candidate, has agreed to support Congress.
Kunnur's nomination was rejected on October 28.
“Khadri is a strong leader in the region with a significant following. His decision to withdraw and support the party has boosted the confidence of our workers and leaders, and this development will greatly benefit us,” Haveri DCC president Sanjeev Neeralgi told Deccan Chronicle.
He also added that senior leaders have spoken to Kunnur, who has now agreed to work for the party as well.
Election officials have announced that eight candidates remain in the fray for the by-election in the Shiggaon Assembly constituency. On the last day for withdrawals, October 30, 11 candidates withdrew their nominations.
The final candidates include Bharath Bommai from BJP, Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan from Congress, Khajamohiddin Gudageri from the Socialist Party (India), and Ravi Krishnareddy from the Karnataka Rashtra Samiti. Independent candidates in the race are Dr GH Imrapur, Shiddappa Hosalli, SS Patil, and Satappa Neelappa Desai.
