Karnataka polls: Infighting, wrong choice of candidates may affect Congress` prospects

The Congress is wary that infighting and ticket distribution issues could play spoilsport in the May 5 Assembly Elections.

Zee Media Bureau

Bangalore: Pre-poll surveys may have predicted an upper hand for the Congress in the Karnataka Assembly polls, but the party is wary that infighting and ticket distribution issues could play spoilsport in the May 5 Assembly Elections. The party estimates that though it will perform better than the last time, it is likely to win some 8 to 10 seats less than the required 113 to form the government on its own. Congress sources said they are expecting to bag some 105 to 110 seats. The reason behind falling short of the required numbers could by the nomination of weak candidates in around 40 seats. It is being alleged that the same was done as part of quid pro quo with opposing parties. Among the seats on which the party believes it has nominated weak candidates include Hubli-Dharwad Central from where Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar will contest, Chennapattana (Anitha Kumaraswamy), Hukkeri (Umesh Katti), Hangal (CM Udasi) and Padmananbhanagar (R Ashok), reported a leading daily from the South.