Bengaluru, DHNS: Siddaramaiah, KPCC chief likely to leave for Delhi tomorrow. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and State Congress president G Parameshwara are likely to leave for Delhi on Tuesday to hold talks with the Congress high command on finalising the party candidates for the upcoming Legislative Council polls.

Sources in the party said the chief minister and the KPCC chief have already prepared a list of probable candidates after consulting local party leaders, including Members of Parliament, MLAs and the MLCs. The two leaders will first discuss about the list with AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Digvijaya Singh. The final list of names will be announced after obtaining the high command’s nod, the sources added.

The Election Commission of India has already issued a calendar of events for conducting the elections to 25 seats of the Council from local bodies constituencies. Polling is scheduled to be held on December 27, if necessary. December 10 is the last day for filing nominations.

The sources said a clear picture on the possibility of the Congress-JD(S) having seat-sharing alliance in the polls will emerge after the Delhi meeting. The two leaders will also discuss with the high command, the pros and cons of a possible alliance.

Siddaramaiah is said to have an open mind in this regard, while Parameshwara is not favouring alliance. Even the JD(S) leaders are divided in their opinion on having an alliance.

The Congress leaders, who are against the alliance, are of the view that the party has fair chances of winning seats in Bengaluru Rural, Mysuru, Mandya and Tumakuru which are considered the JD(S) strongholds. The JD(S) is most likely to ask the Congress to give away these seats if the two parties agree on alliance. So, there is no point in the Congress joining hands with H D Deve Gowda-led party, the sources said.

Siddu meets pontiff

Siddaramaiah on Sunday met Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami of Adichunchanagiri Mutt and took his blessings. Sources close to the chief minister said it was only a courtesy visit. The meeting assumes significance in view of the upcoming Council polls.

Siddaramaiah had recently spoken to the pontiff over phone and urged his intervention when there was widespread protests over the naming of Bengaluru international airport.

Photo credit: DHNS