Will senior Congress leader Kagodu Thimmappa reject the offer to contest the parliamentary elections this time?
Close associates of Kagodu say ‘Yes’. The reason may be age and his health. However, it is learnt that both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the KPCC chief are willing to field Kagodu Thimmappa from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency.
Despite his victory in the last assembly elections from Sagar assembly segment, the party leaders have hesitated to bestow the ticket to Kagodu Thimmappa considering his age.
Kagodu was given a ticket at the eleventh hour in the last assembly elections held in 2013.
The issue of sidelining of Kagodu continued even after his victory in the assembly elections. Kagodu even rejected the position of ‘assembly speaker’. However, he later accepted the post.
Kagodu in Shimoga
Kagodu Thimmappa is known for being the undisputed Congress leader in the district and his association with former CM S Bangarappa. Both the leaders are from the Eediga community. With Bangarappa’s exit from the district political scenario, Kagodu took control of the district Congress with his vast experience.
The age factor and the health condition of former CM S Bangarappa proved to be costly in the 2009 parliamentary elections. Bangarappa who took on B Y Raghavendra (son of former CM BS Yeddyurappa), could not tour the entire parliamentary constituency during the election campaign.
With the inclusion of Bainduru into the fold of Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, Bangarappa was unable to campaign as swiftly as Raghavendra.
The age factor may be detrimental to Kagodu Thimmappa as well.
There is no doubt the district Congress strongly backs Kagodu Thimmappa. But whether Kagodu will accept the offer remains to be seen.
According to some senior politicians, Kagodu may accept the offer at the last minute on the condition that if he is defeated in the polls, he should be taken into the cabinet.