MYSORE: Despite Congress being a ruling party in the state, it is finding difficult to take on JDS in Vokkaliga heartland. Every leader worth his salt was approached by state Congress top brass and it persuaded them to contest Mandya Lok Sabha by-poll necessitated following the resignation of sitting JDS MP Cheluvarayaswami after his election to state assembly in May elections.
But all those approached by the party either refused to contest or placed various conditions to contest. Lastly film star turned politician Ambarish, who was entrusted with the task of selecting a candidate relied on another member from Sandalwood, actress Ramya, who had joined the Congress just before the assembly elections.
Though she was inclined to contest assembly elections, party high command then reportedly failed to take note of her demand. At the last minute Ramya filed her nomination papers, but suddenly tragedy struck her in the form of the death of her foster father RT Narayan, a close friend of SM Krishna.
Sources in Congress revealed to TOI that she has developed cold feet and is refusing to remain in the fray. A Congress source told that she has conveyed her reluctance to remain in the fray to state party’s top leaders. This sudden backtracking on the part of Ramya has placed Congress leaders in a quandary with nominations coming to end on Saturday itself.
“Now we cannot select alternative candidate and allow her to withdraw; we will persuade her to remain in the fray,” a Congress leader said, adding that the party will not allow her to withdraw. Congress leaders’ hard effort in finding a winning horse has allowed JDS leaders to mock the Congress and its situation in the by-poll.
“Congress leaders’ efforts and failure to find a suitable candidate and their predicament and last minute selection of Ramya itself shows how weakly placed is the Congress in the district,” a JDS leader reacted to the developments, terming Ramya a “weak” candidate.
Meanwhile, Ramya who was in the city to complete the last rites of her foster father avoided media and remained indoors as long as cameramen of television channels remained at the deceased’s house. Her henchman prevented reporters from communicating with when she came out to perform last rites.
