MLC polls: Leadership void in Karnataka Congress? Party turns to veteran BK Hariprasad

After loss of face following many state leaders quitting the party and known leaders moved out, now, the grand old party has fielded seniors and old timers BK Hariprasad and Naseer Ahmed as MLC candidates  

Bengaluru: The Congress that lost power in Karnataka soon after the Lok Sabha elections last year, is now relying on veterans to secure MLC seats after many good leaders quit the grand old party blaming humiliation to them.

Now, BK Hariprasad and Naseer Ahmed’s names have been cleared to contest for MLC seats.

The elections to seven vacant seats will be held on June 29 and the ruling BJP with more numbers, is said to increase its tally in the upper house. As per sources, the Congress has no leaders who can give a tough fight to the saffron party.

The party seems like it wants to bolster its position among backward classes and minorities and reach out to voters from now itself.

While Hariprasad represents  backward class community as he belongs to Idiga caste, Ahmed is a Muslim and the party wants to take minorities who, in recent times, are showing interest in the BJP.

Hariprasad is a Rajya Sabha MP and his tenure ends shortly and with tossing his name as MLC, he is signalling that he will become active in state politics.

Kolar’s Naseer, whose political career seemed over, has been given a chance to overhaul the minority wing as no leaders are able to strike a chord with the community members.