SP Muddahanumegowda to contest as an independent Congress candidate

Taking no notice of the appeals from senior Congress leaders, SP Muddahanumegowda, the party's sitting MP, is set to enter the fray from Tumakuru seat as an independent. Since the Congress cannot give him a B-form owing to its pact with the JD(S), he announced on Saturday that he will file his nomination as a Congress candidate and is expected to contest as an independent.

As per the alliance deal, the Congress conceded Tumakuru to the JD(S) and party supremo HD Deve Gowda announced he will contest from the constituency. Gowda is scheduled to file his papers between 2.15pm and 3.15pm. The B-form is needed to contest on the party's symbol. Thus, Muddahanumegowda will also file his papers on Monday.

Muddahanumegowda, held a series of meetings with his followers to provoke their opinions, even as several senior Congress leaders tried to convince him against contesting. G Parameshwara, the Deputy Chief Minister, who took stock of the political situation, expressed confidence that Muddahanumegowda will abide by the party's diktat.

"It is quite natural that he (Muddahanumegowda) is upset," Parameshwara told reporters. "I understand his pain. He was very active in the Lok Sabha. I'm sure the Congress will recognise his services and reward him suitably" he added.

Nonetheless, rumors suggests that Parameshwara is indirectly supporting Muddahanumegowda's rebellion as the he too is upset with the high command's decision to cede the seat to the JD(S). "He (Parameshwara) thinks Siddaramaiah is behind the decision. Siddaramaiah sacrificed Tumakuru to save Mysuru from going to the JD(S)." a source in the Tumakuru Congress said.