Karnataka: Sonia's rally will delay Congress' list

Congress party President Sonia Gandhi's first election rally in Davangere, Karnataka, a town six hours away from the capital Bengaluru, on March 23 will delay the announcement of the final list of Congress candidates from Karnataka.

Congress sources pointed out that the list of candidates which was to be announced on Tuesday may be announced only after Sonia's rally.

The Congress fears that candidates who have lost out may play spoilsport during the rally and also stage dharnas during Sonia's visit. This is something that the Congress cannot afford in Karnataka especially at the start of their campaign.

With a great deal of difficulty the Congress has managed to bring all its big leaders together. Former state deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah, who had joined the Congress after dumping the Janata Dal-Secular, had threatened to quit the party as he felt that he was not being given enough importance.

Now with the Congress deciding to field Mallikarjuna Kharge as one of the candidates, the slot of opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly will fall vacant. This post will be filled up by Siddaramaiah and the discord is expected to end.

The Congress will also field former state chief minister S M Krishna as a candidate from Bangalore South. Long time loyalists like Janardhan Poojary and Veerappa Moily too are expected to find a place in the final list of candidates from Karnataka.