With just two days to go for the election of the new mayor, Congress leaders are divided over the party candidate.
As per the notification issued by the urban development department, the Mayor’s post has been reserved for a woman (general). Gangambike Mallikarjun (Jayanagar- Lingayat) and Sowmya Shivakumar (Shantinagar- OBC) are in the race for the mayor post.
Gangambike is supported by the Congress heavyweights including Ramalinga Reddy, Shamanur Shivashankarappa etc. She is playing the lingayat card stating that since last 45 years no lingayat has become the city mayor.
But Sowmya with the support for DCM G Parameshwar and Shantinagar MLA Haris is also posing tough competition. A meeting convened by KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao with the corporators and the leaders failed to yield a result.
“The issue has been referred to former CM Siddaramaiah who will take a final decision in this regard,” said sources.
The JDS is also yet to announce its Deputy mayor candidate. Meanwhile, the BJP is likely to field its candidates for both the posts with the support of a few independent corporators.
PTI
