In such an eventuality, the Congress may field Suraj Hegde, the grandson of former chief minister Devraj Urs from the constituency, informed sources told The New Indian Express. Hegde is vice-president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), vice-chairman of the Guarantee Implementation Authority, Karnataka, and a member of the Indian National Congress election screening committee for Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to BJP sources, the party may drop Simha - a two-time MP- because of various reasons, including the controversy around the recent Parliament security breach. “The Congress is waiting for the BJP to roll out its second list and if they announce Yaduveer’s name from the Mysuru-Kodagu seat then they may field Hegde against him. The Congress has also been considering names of Vokkaliga candidates-- party spokesperson M Lakshmana and DCC president Vijaykumar for the Mysuru-Kodagu seat.

Source: Indian Express March 13, 2024 08:56 UTC