Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 2: It is reliably learnt that as per two internal surveys instituted by All India Congress Committee (AICC), Congress is standing on a sticky wicket as far as assembly election is concerned in three constituencies of Dakshina Kannada (DK) district. These constituencies had been won by the Congress in the last election. This disturbing information has come at a time when there is confidence within the party circles that they would be able to repeat or better the last time's performance of bagging all but Sullia constituency in Dakshina Kannada district.

As Congress party is hell bent on issuing party tickets only the winning candidates this time, both the state and central leaderships are toying with the idea of changing even the current MLAs wherever felt necessary. However, where the chances are equal, the candidates will be given the responsibility of registering victory for the party, sources stated.

Congress state president Dr Parameshwara and chief minister Siddaramaiah

As per the surveys conducted by two AICC teams, Congress is likely to face stiff challenges in three of the six constituencies it won last time. The opinion which emerged out of these surveys, which were conducted separately, is the same.

City south, Moodbidri and Puttur are the three constituencies where the party will face uphill task as per these surveys. The survey mentions that Lobo was behind several development works in the city but some disputes he got involved with might mar his chances. The same opinion has emerged in Moodbidri constituency too. In both these constituencies, chances of victory for Congress candidates has been put at 50:50.

In the other constituency, Puttur, Shakuntala Shetty, has functioned well. But many of her own party leaders feel that she continues to suffer from the hangover of being in BJP. As there is dissidence within the block Congress in her constituency about her candidature, he chances of winning can be in jeopardy as per the surveys, party sources revealed.

President of Dakshina Kannada district Congress committee, Harish Kumar, says that AICC does not bring to the notice of the local unit of the party about surveys conducted by it. He said that the party is fully geared up to face the election, with the completion of door to door visits and formation of booth level committees.