Madikeri: Congress has fielded a very weak candidate, said Napanda Muthappa,state Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) vice president, who filed his nomination as an independent candidate here on April 23.
The Congress replaced advocate H S Chandramouli with K P Chandrakala after an allegation was levelled against the former for his links with Mehul Choksi.
“If Chandramouli had remained in the field, I would not have contested”, said Muthappa, still hopeful of getting ‘B’form from Congress.
“I was assured of a suitable position in the party after giving ticket to Chandramouli but the party denied me the ticket the second time. Bowing to pressure from party workers, I have decided to contest as an independent”,he added.
“Earlier, Congress had denied me the party’s district president’s post citing my Kodava background and now has denied me MLA ticket for being a Kodava”, said Muthappa.
‘Wait and watch the developments that are going to unfold”, said Muthappa after submitting nomination papers to returning officer Ramesh Konreddy.
District INTUC President T P Hameed, Ajjalli Ravi and Pavan Pemmaiah were present on the occasion.
The seat is currently held by three-time MLA Appachu Ranjan of BJP.
