Congress in dilemma over fielding candidate opposite CM Basavaraj Bommai

HAVERI: Congress has been planning to field a formidable candidate against Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai from the Shiggaon-Savanur assembly segment this assembly election. The party is planning to choose a candidate who belongs to the Panchamasali sub-sect of Lingayats, amid strong resistance from former MLA Sayyad Ajjampeer Khadri.

The opposition has been seriously considering former minister Vinay Kulkarni, who represented Dharwad rural assembly segment. Khadri has already lost four times - thrice against CM Bommai. Meanwhile, Congress has been mulling a minority community candidate in the undivided Dharwad district.

The constituency mostly comprises of minorities - the first one being Lingayat Panchamasali. The party is facing a threat of revolt by Khadri.

According to party sources, Congress leaders have been convincing Vinay Kulkarni to contest from Shiggaon-Savanur, but he did not show any interest. The state in-charge and AICC general secretary Randeep Surjewala assured Kulkarni that the party will make him MLC if he loses against chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. Surjewala has also promised Vinay Kulkarni that he will be given a ministerial berth after Congress comes to power in the state.

“The party has been not successful in getting power in the last four assembly elections. Now it is serious about the assembly segment and party leaders are concentrating on it. Lingayat Panchamasali community is a major player in the Shiggaon-Savanur assembly segment.

Moreover, the community people have lost their faith in BJP because the state government has given them no clarity on 2A reservation. Now, we are trying to encash this situation and the party leaders are showing interest in Vinay Kulkarni’s candidature against CM Bommai,” said a party top brass in the district.

He further said it is very difficult to convince former MLA Sayyad Ajjapeer Khadri because minorities are an asset for Congress. “The party leaders are handling this conflict carefully because it will affect the party in the other assembly segment. So party leaders are in dilemma to finalise candidate against CM Bommai” he clarified.

Next option Yaligar
Congress leaders have kept another option Shashidhar Yaligar, who is a strong aspirant for the ticket because he belongs to the Lingayat Panchamasali community and has a good reputation in the assembly segment. Shashidhar is a land developer and he extended his service during Covid-19 across Shiggaon-Savanur constituency.