Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jun 7: The Congress party has announced its candidates for the four vacant seats in the Karnataka Legislative Council. The names finalized include senior journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu, Karnataka NRI forum deputy-chairperson Dr Arathi Krishna, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti’s D G Sagar, and former MLC Ramesh Babu.

Dinesh Amin Mattu is the nominee backed by chief minister Siddaramaiah, while Dr Arathi Krishna has been chosen with the support of deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar. D G Sagar and Ramesh Babu are candidates supported by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Clockwise from top: Dr Arathi Krishna, Dinesh Amin Mattu, Ramesh Babu and D G Sagar

There was intense competition within the Congress for these four MLC seats, with over two dozen aspirants vying for nominations. Senior leaders like B L Shankar and V Sudarshan were also reportedly in the race, but the final selection went in favour of the four announced names.

Dinesh Amin Mattu earned a strong reputation as a journalist and previously served as the media advisor to the chief minister. Arathi Krishna, daughter of Begane Ramaiah, a veteran Congress leader and former rural development minister, has significantly contributed through her work with the NRI Forum. D G Sagar has been actively involved in the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), while Ramesh Babu brings experience as a former member of the Legislative Council.