Mallikarjun Kharge’s Candidature in Question: Congress Prepares to Release Karnataka Candidate List

New Delhi, March 08:  Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today said that the first list of Congress candidates for Lok Sabha elections from Karnataka would be released by the High Command shortly.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, “We had meetings with our Party President and other leaders regarding candidate selection for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Only half of the seats were discussed in this meeting. The list of candidates has been finalised and the AICC leaders will release the first list shortly.”

Asked if Mallikarjun Kharge would contest from Karnataka, he said, “His candidature has been raised by many leaders. Currently, no other candidate has been considered for his constituency. Being the AICC President, he will be required to campaign extensively around the country and hence he himself decide on the candidature.”

Asked if there were any discussions on ministers contesting the elections and CM’s son contesting elections, he said that those things had not been discussed yet.

Asked about Minister H C Mahadevappa’s comments on Chief Minister’s position, he said, “There is nothing wrong in aspiring for a position. Every one aspires and there is nothing wrong in Mahadevappa aspiring.”