Madav Bhatnagar
Daijiworld Political correspondent - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 29 : In a humiliation to Karnataka top Congress leaders KPCC president Dr Parameshwar and state opposition leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday March 28 evening, in an important meeting held to finalise the first list of Assembly poll candidates, Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi angrily questioned the leaders for the near-absence of women candidates' names in the list.

Fuming over the issue, Sonia demanded, "Why is there only one woman's name in the first list of 130 Congress candidates?" She was reportedly upset with the leaders for sidelining women representation while finalising the list.

Because of this sole reason, on Thursday Congress high command could not finalise the list, and postponed the final selection meeting of 130 candidates to Saturday March 30.

Highly placed sources told daijiworld Delhi correspondent that only Umashree's (Kannada film actor and sitting MLA) name featured in the first list. She is almost the confirmed candidate from Teradala constituency.

Sonia has reportedly urged the leaders to consider at least one seat for woman per Lok Sabha constituency or district.

Sonia's order has now given a bright chance for Shakunthala Shetty from Puttur and Kripa Alva from Mangalore North.

In the meantime, sensing very few names of Youth Congress candidates in the first list, state Youth Congress president Rizwan has offered to resign if their members do get enough representation. On the other hand, there are strong rumours that if Rizwan himself is denied the ticket, KJP has opened its arms to welcome him to its fold, as he has some strong links with KJP leaders.

On March 30, if the list is finalized, several Congress wickets are expected to fall and knock at the neibhours' doors !