Ever since the Congress released its list of 218 candidates for Karnataka Assembly Elections on Sunday, party members have openly revolted in the state. However, what has surprised everyone in the AICC headquarters here in New Delhi is the manner in which senior Congress spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa took to social media to vent his angst over not being given a ticket to contest from Madikere assembly seat, which is currently held by the BJP.

It was his Facebook post that became headline news on television as it “exposed" how the Congress had given a ticket to HS Chandramouli, former state public prosecutor who is now representing Mehul Choksi who, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is among the prime accused in the Punjab National Bank scam case.

“Kalappa has been batting for the Congress on electronic media, on TV channels for a quite a few years. A leader from Coorg region, he could have been accommodated,” said a Delhi leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Though he has been fairly compensated through legal positions in Haryana and has closely worked with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, it was pointed out that spokespersons now have high expectations from the party after two spokespersons from Karnataka – Rajeev Gowda and Syed Nasir Hussain -made it to the Rajya Sabha.

Facebook post by Brijesh Kalappa

Sources felt Kalappa may have failed to get his party’s nomination because his close friend, former AICC General Secretary BK Hariprasad, is not currently in favour with the High Command. In fact, Hariprasad had been lobbying for his brother Shivaram to be given the ticket to contest from Malleshwaram but he was denied.

According to sources, Kalappa may have taken to social media because in the present AICC set up, spokespersons from the South are getting a raw deal with media-in-charge Randeep Surjewala choosing those from the North. “Most of us get very little air time. Kalappa must be getting worried about being marginalized. Delhi leaders only want only money from the South,” said a spokesperson from the South. The pro-North bias has even resulted in the party sidelining old favourites such as CR Kesavan.

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