MYSORE: In an attempt to mobilise Vokkaliga support for former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Assembly Constituency of Chamundeshwari in Mysore taluk, the Congress has convened a meeting of Vokkaliga supporters on August 15.

Former Minister D.K. Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga strongman in the Congress party, will addressing the meeting as a special invitee along with MLC and president of the Mysore City Congress Committee D. Made Gowda after Mr. Siddaramaiah inaugurates the meeting. Former MUDA Chairman C. Basave Gowda is also scheduled to participate in the meeting.

According to a press statement, the meeting will be held at Bhagyamma Narasegowdru Kalyana Mantapa at Hosahundi in Mysore taluk. Though pamphlets distributed by the Congress bore the photograph of Lok Sabha MP representing Mandya, Ambarish, his participation at the meeting has not been confirmed.

The meeting of Vokkaliga supporters of Mr. Siddaramaiah, a Kuruba, assumes significance in view of the impending elections to Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency from where the Deputy Chief Minister is expected to seek re-election to the Assembly.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, who recently quit the Assembly to the join the Congress party, will be contesting the elections as a Congress candidate for the first time from Chamundeshwari constituency. The Congress finds it necessary to court the Vokkaligas, who form a major chunk of voters in the Chamundeshwari Assembly Constituency. Meanwhile, the All India Progressive Janata Dal's Mysore taluk unit has appealed to all Vokkaligas to attend the August 15 meeting.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail