Two retired IAS officers join Congress

Not only politicians, but also retired bureaucrats want to make the most of the Assembly elections scheduled for early next year.

While retired IAS officers Ashok Kumar Manoli and S Puttaswamy joined the Congress on Monday, rumours are that many more are likely to follow the suit.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah welcomed Manoli and Puttaswamy by handing over party flags at a simple ceremony in the Congress office here.

Manoli, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, retired as principal secretary Revenue Department in September, and Puttaswamy’s last stint was at Ramanagar as deputy commissioner.

According to sources, Manoli is trying for a ticket from Raibag Assembly segment in Belgaum district and Puttaswamy wants

to contest from Arakalgudu constituency in Hassan

district.

But the party has reportedly not assured a ticket to Puttaswamy as the sitting MLA A Manju is also from the Congress. As expected Manju had opposed Puttaswamy’s induction, but gave up after getting an assurance that he would not be denied ticket.

Apart from these two, names of former director general of police Shankar M Bidari and retired IAS officer Baburao Mudabi top the list of bureaucrats who are likely to join politics.

Shortlist Candidates by Nov 30: KPCC

With elections fast approaching, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has asked its team of observers and those in-charge to complete the process of shortlisting probable candidates by November 30.

KPCC president G Parameshwar, who held election preparation meeting with presidents of district units and observers, instructed them to provide minimum three names from each constituency by this month end.

While recommending the names, the observers have been asked to give a detailed report on each probable including his credentials, strengths and weaknesses, public opinion, party’s position in the constituency and also about the Opposition candidates.

“We are requesting the party high command to finalise the candidates at least one month before the announcement of elections so that candidates have enough time for campaigning,” the KPCC president told reporters after the meeting.