Poll fall

The ticket distribution for the first phase of the Karnataka polls also turned out to be a reality check for many top Congress leaders about their clout at 10 Janpath. AICC general secretary Margaret Alva, perceived to be close to the party high command, could not get a ticket for her son Nivedit. After the Screening Committee headed by Digvijay Singh decided not to give tickets to relatives of top leaders, close aides of Alva mocked at the committee’s “gimmick” saying that the final decision had to be taken by the Central Election Committee headed by Sonia Gandhi. Another AICC general secretary B K Hari Prasad was, however, quick to read the mood. His brother B K Shivaram had resigned as Assistant Commissioner of Police five months ago and was hoping for a Congress ticket. Shivaram, apparently at the behest of his brother, withdrew from the race for party ticket immediately after the Screening Committee’s decision.