The Hindu : Karnataka News : CMC polls: Congress factions slug it out

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Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

CMC polls: Congress factions slug it out

Staff Correspondent

The poll result is expected to have
an impact on the distribution of ticket

KOLAR: With the date for the elections to the post of president and vice-president of Kolar city municipal council having been announced, hectic activities have commenced in the faction-ridden Congress party. While an upbeat mood prevails in the faction led by Varthur Prakash, there is dejection in former MLA K. Srinivas Gowda’s camp.

Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer G. Ramachandra has appointed Assistant Commissioner M.S. Archana as presiding officer for the conduct of the polls on February 23.

Tally

In the elections held for urban local bodies in September last year, in the 35-member Kolar CMC, the Congress had won 16 seats while the rebels of the party, led by Mr. Prakash, won 14 seats. The remaining five seats were wrested by the Janata Dal (Secular).

Later, seven among the 16 councillors of the Congress joined the Prakash camp. All the members are solidly behind Mr. Prakash. In a press conference, there was an equivocal demand for the expulsion of Mr. Gowda for his alleged anti-party activities, including his tirade against Union Minister K.H. Muniyappa. The seven members owing allegiance to the Prakash faction did not attend a meeting convened by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee observer A. Krishnappa on Saturday.

This show of solidarity among its opponents has reportedly shaken the confidence of the Gowda camp.

Confident

With 21 members with him, Mr. Prakash is confident of winning both the president and vice-president posts of the local body here. Government has reserved the post of president for Backward Classes ‘A’ category and vice-president’s post for Scheduled Castes.

Since the show of strength in the CMC is considered as a precursor for the next Assembly elections as far as Kolar segment is concerned, both groups are keen to gain the upper hand. The result of the polls is expected to have an impact on the distribution of ticket.

Mr. Gowda’s aim is to win over the members who had defected.

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