Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 17: It is gathered that the government has finalized the names of people to be nominated to the legislative council.

Names of V S Ugrappa, former MP, Iqbal Ahmed Saradagi, sandalwood actress, Jayamala, and labour leader, Shantakumar, have been cleared by the the top leadership of Congress party, it I learnt. It is also said that it has been decided to renominate Abdul Jabbar, who was recently nominated to the upper house, and whose term will end shortly.

Sources said that a letter recommending these five names has already been sent to the state Governor, and an official notification about the same is expected to be released within a couple of days.

It is said that cold water was poured on the ambitions of Ivan D'Souza from Mangalore to get nominated as MLC because of opposition to his nomination from certain local leaders. While chief minister, Siddaramaiah, was in favour of nominating D'Souza because of his association during his days in the Janatadal in the past, the name had to be dropped because of heavy lobbying against his nomination reportedly by delegations led by Oscar Fernandes among others, it is said.

Understandably, Ivan, who had earlier fought the election to become an MLA and lost, and whose name was also in circulation for the election to the legislative council recently, and who has been waiting in the wings to rise in the party to become a leader of prominence, is upset at a golden opportunity having been spoiled because of inner party politics.