DKS: Next Cong LS list to be released by Wednesday

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday disclosed that the next Lok Sabha candidates list of the Congress would be finalised by Tuesday and released by Wednesday.

“Today, we are going to Mumbai to participate in the valedictory of Bharat Jodo Nyay yatra. The Congress Election Committee (CEC) meeting will be held on March 19 and the list may be out on March 20,” Shivakumar said.

The Grand Old Party had to postpone the list by a few days because other engagements cropped up.

“The Guarantee implementation committee members meeting will be held on March 21 at the state, district and taluk levels. We are going to assign Lok Sabha election responsibilities to them at the meeting,” he said, adding that there was an INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc meeting beforehand as well.

He also expressed confidence that the Congress would win 20 constituencies in the state in the upcoming general elections.

“This is a festival of democracy. We need to enjoy and celebrate this festival and fight it out as well. We are very confident of winning 20 seats in the state,” he added.

Asked about the poll expenses limit of 80 lakhs fixed by the election commission, he said: “An election will require this amount of money. We don't have (many) electoral bonds like the BJP.”

Replying to a query on two phase elections in Karnataka, he said: “We have faced two phase elections in the past and we will plan accordingly. The BJP will announce the dates according to their convenience, there is no point in debating it. We are prepared to face the elections."

Asked if there would be a last minute “operation”, referring to possible defections from the BJP and JD(S) to the Congress, he said: “Can't rule anything out. No one is going from our party though.”

Shivakumar also downplayed the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Lok Sabha election results in Karnataka, pointing out that Congress had won last May’s Assembly elections despite the PM campaigning extensively in the state.