Congress faces major set back. Switching sides is the order of the day

Bangalore , April 16, 2013:

With hardly a day left for filing of nominations, election scenario is getting hotter.  Political parties are busy in finalizing the list of candidates.

Second list of candidates released on Sunday, triggered another round of rebellion in the Congress. ‘Rebel’ star Ambareesh, who had opposed giving the party ticket to A S Ravindra Srikantaiah in Srirangapatna, toughened his stand on Monday and refused to budge, despite efforts by party leaders to pacify him.

And finally the party high command kneeled down before the actor turned politician by changing the candidate for Srirangapatna assembly segment.

However these developments led to another setback to the party. Senior leader and former Chief Minister S M Krishna opted to stay away from campaigning in protest against the party sidelining  him by denying tickets to his supporters.

On the other hand trouble has erupted in Davanagere district. Despite getting ticket for Davanagere South, Shamanur Shivashankarappa is still bargaining with the party high command to get Davanagere North to his son. This has irked Muslim leaders who have decisive number in both the segments.

Party has fielded C M Ibrahim-close aid of Siddarmaiah, ditching sitting MLA Sangamesh, who has decided to contest as an independent.  Former ministers A Krishnappa, H M Revanna, former MLA’s K Chandrashekar, and many others have decided to quit the party and looking at JDS and KJP as their next destination.  Continued infighting and factionalism may prove to be major setback to the party.

Situation in other parties is no better. Susheel Namoshi and Krishnaiah Shetty of BJP have revolted against the party high command. While Namoshi has joined JDS, Shetty has decided to contest as an independent.

With as many as 30 sitting MLA’s ditching the party, BJP is facing shortage of strong candidates. Party leaders are looking at the rebels of other parties. Party sources accept that there are no takers of party tickets in at least 12 assembly segments.

JDS has already faced several setbacks. Nagaraja Shetty a potential leader of coastal Karnataka has made a comeback to his earlier party. Devanahalli Chandranna a former MLA and rebellion has also joined BJP.

Meanwhile JDS has also grabbed many senior leaders of other parties.  Cinistar Rakshitha, A Krishnappa, Sushil Nammoshi and many others have joined the party.

The new born KJP has also benefited by the rebellion in Congress. Many congress leaders like K Chandrashekar are looking at the party. As a result switching the sides has become order of the day.  ENN