Bidar: Bidar South MLA Ashok Kheni may join the Congress party in presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, March 5. That would put an end to a month-long speculation around this news.
When media persons called Kheni on Sunday night, he requested to wait for a day. However, according to the sources, he had a consultation with CM Siddaramaiah on Saturday and after he was assured a ticket in the upcoming polls, he agreed to join the party.
Former chief minister Late Dharam Singh’s son Vijay Singh is the member of Legislative Council already. Dharam Singh’s son-in-law Chandra Singh is a ticket aspirant from Bidar South constituency. If the party considers him, the Congress will be bound to face criticism of nurturing dynasty politics. However, the Congress leaders put pressure on CM to give an opportunity to the local leader.
According to the sources, District-in-Charge Minister Eshwar Khandre is supporting Kheni to avoid an opportunity to Chandra Singh.
In 2013, Ashok Kheni contested the elections from Karnataka Makkala Paksha and defeated Bandeppa Kashempur of JDS by 15,788 votes.
