Congress party coffers empty, seeks ‘investors’ in Karnataka, in the run-up to polls

BENGALURU: With the Karnataka state polls likely to be held in the first half of May, an announcement to the effect by the Election Commission of India is expected anytime, maybe even in the next couple of days.

An enthusiastic Indian National Congress has already released its first list of candidates for 124 seats or constituencies in the State, but a cautious BJP said it will only release its list after the poll body announces the dates.

However, sources in the Congress said the party is in dire straits when it comes to funds and is desperately looking for ‘investors’. Against this backdrop, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday charged the State Congress chief DK Shivakumar of luring BJP MLAs and offering them tickets in constituencies. Sources claimed there is a catch or a secret condition though – any BJP MLA who wants to switch sides and expects a ticket, is expected to fund not just his own campaign expenses, but also support the state party fund pool with some generous contributions.

Congress leaders flatly denied this allegation and claimed the BJP was spreading falsehood as it was riding a sticky wicket. However, reliable internal sources in the State Congress unit on condition of anonymity confirmed that the party is lacking adequate funding to take on the massive might of the BJP, which is in power at the Centre, with an almost inexhaustible chest of funds.

The Congress in Karnataka is trying to lure “rich” candidates who also have a good chance of winning, as it is almost unable to fund ‘good’ but ‘poor’ candidates, claimed sources within the Karnataka unit of the party.

Speaking to reporters, the CM said, “KPCC President DK Shivakumar since the last two to three days has been making phone calls to our MLAs in 100 constituencies where they are yet to announce candidates. He is stating that if you (BJP MLAs) come (to Congress), we will give you the ticket,” Bommai alleged.

Speaking in Belagavi, he said, “Congress leaders are frustrated, they don’t have proper candidates at all, so he (Shivakumar) is calling our party people. This shows that as a matter of fact, the Congress party is bankrupt.”

Congress announced its first list of 124 candidates on March 25 and is yet to announce tickets for the balance 100 seats. Karnataka has a total of 224 assembly constituencies.