S. A. Hemanth
Bengaluru, March 28: Three days after the release of first list of candidates, the Congress party is facing rebel heat in Rajajinagar.
Miffed by the denial of ticket, former BBMP Deputy Mayor B. S. Puttaraju turned rebel and held a meeting of his supporters. About 1000 members attended the meeting.
“You talk to the leaders once again and see if the candidate can be changed. If not, we will decide our future course of action,” his supporters told Puttaraju in the meeting.
The Congress has chosen Puttanna, a Vokkaliga and former MLC, as its candidate in Rajajinagar. BJP’s S. Suresh Kumar is seeking re-election.
Puttaraju told The Newz Peg that he was assured of the ticket by none other than KPCC President D K. Shiva Kumar. “I changed my residence to Rajajinagar constituency for this purpose. I have been a pattu worker since several decades. I have been denied ticket. This is gross injustice,” Puttaraju said.
Puttanna is a turncoat, says Puttaraju, as the former was in Janata Pariwar as MLC. He jumped to BJP two years ago and became MLC from the Teacher’s Constituency. He resigned for the post of MLC and joined Congress about a month ago.
Puttaraju said he will continue to prevail upon the leaders and mount pressure to obtain ticket. “While I have slogged in the constituency, Puttanna is a newcomer. I deserve the seat,” he said.
Another Congress aspirant Bhavya Narasimhamurthy has been working tirelessly in the constituency. She too has been denied ticket. Her next move is being keenly watched by the Congress leadership.
EOM
