Byrathi, Revanna supporters in ugly spat during Sharief's campaign

In an embarrassment to the ruling Congress, supporters of independent MLC Byrathi Suresh and Congress MLC H M Revanna on Monday got into heated arguments, holding each other responsible for their leaders missing out on a Congress ticket to contest the byelections.

The confrontation took place when Revanna was accompanying Congress candidate C K Abdul Rahaman Sharief in the byelection campaign on Dinnur Main Road on Monday.

Both the MLCs were aspirants for a Congress ticket for the byelection. Byrathi Suresh’s followers claim that his leader, who had been making preparations for contesting the elections for many days, lost out because of Revanna.

There was a similar incident recently during the launch of the party's election campaign in Hebbal constituency in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Byrathi Suresh is a close aide of Siddaramaiah. The Chief Minister wanted Byrathi Suresh to contest the election as a Congress candidate, but the party picked Sharief. Revanna has been sulking ever since. Revanna later told reporters that Byrathi Suresh was not indispensable for the party. “It is not proper to shout slogans against others for the denial of a ticket. I have worked in the constituency for the last eight years.
Byrathi Suresh should first learn to serve people before seeking a ticket,” he added.

Campaign picks up
The party intensified the campaign in Hebbal on Monday with the Chief Minister and many of his ministerial colleagues hitting the trail. Siddaramaiah went on a roadshow on the main thoroughfares of Vishwanatha Nagenahalli, Dinnur Main Road, Manorayanapalya and Gangenahalli areas of the constituency.  Earlier, hundreds of Congress workers led by Minister D K Shivakumar and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy held a padayatra in Geddalahalli, Radakrishna Temple, Sanjaynagar, seeking support for the party candidate.