Bengaluru, DHNS: The warring factions in the State Congress in?the politically volatile Mandya district on Friday held a reconciliatory meeting in Bengaluru, ahead of the Legislative Council polls to be elected by local authorities.

While the meeting did not finalise a candidate for the December 27 polls, it is after a long time that the representatives of the two groups, one led by Housing Minister M?H?Ambareesh, and the other led by Mandya district president M?S?Atmananada (who has the support of senior leader and former chief minister S?M?Krishna) sat for talks.

The two groups have always been at loggerheads on various political issues and candidate selection for polls.

The meeting took place at the residence of Energy Minister D?K?Shivakumar in Bengaluru at the instance of KPCC President G?Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Former MP?Ramya, Ambareesh,?Atmananda, former legislator L?R?Shivaramegowda, among others, were present at the meeting. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ramya said she was not an aspirant for the Council polls.

To a question that AICC?Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had recommended her name for the polls, Ramya retorted, “Who told you that??I am not an aspirant.” Sources said Atmananda proposed Ramya’s name for the Council polls.

However, it was decided that second rung leaders also be consulted and a final name be recommended to the high command next week.

‘We will work unitedly’

Ambareesh said all the leaders in the district would work unitedly for the party candidate for the Council polls. “We have decided to forget the past and work unitedly for the future,” he said.

Shivakumar said the party will soon work out a long-term strategy for not only winning the Council polls but also the forthcoming zilla and taluk panchayat elections and also the 2018 Assembly polls.

Photo credit: DHNS