Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM)
Udupi, Mar 22: Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, who is all set to fight the Lok Sabha elections on JD(S) ticket even though he is a Congressman, on Friday March 22 appeared in public wearing a shawl that carried the symbols of both the Congress and the JD(S).
Madhwaraj visited the Congress Bhavan on Friday night after he was reportedly chosen by the coalition partners Congress and JD(S) as the candidate to face BJP's Shobha Karandlaje in Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency.
"Being the candidate representing the coalition, I am contesting as a JD(S) candidate on behalf of Congress. As candidate of the coalition parties, I have brought together the symbols of both the parties in one shawl. No one has worn a shawl like this ever. I shall be wearing it till April 18 (day of polling in Karnataka). I am tired of answering questions on the party symbols," he told reporters outside Congress Bhavan, adding, "Congress and JD(S) are going to blend like milk and honey in Udupi."
He further said that he was already an aspirant for the Congress ticket, and hence according to the coalition deal, had agreed to fight on JD(S) ticket. "The people in the two districts should elect an MP who works for them. In the entire country, I am the first one to get this unique opportunity. This decision (to field him) has been taken to safeguard Congress' presence in the district, and if I win, I will do my duty in good faith.
"I will tour the two districts (Udupi and Chikkamagaluru) in the next two days and on March 25 I will file my nomination in the presence of leaders from both parties," he added.
Pramod Madhwaraj then visited the residence of AICC member Amrith Shenoy, who had opposed the party's decision to offer Udupi-Chikkamgaluru seat to JD(S), in order to pacify him. Shenoy reportedly told Madhwaraj about his dissatisfaction over the arrangement, but expressed his happiness with his candidature. He reportedly pointed out that Madhwaraj had not attended recent programmes and was instead with Kumaraswamy, and did not participate in protests against the centre either. Nevertheless, Shenoy wish him luck and expressed hopes that he would win.