Clamour for Rahul to contest from Karnataka

With Lok Sabha elections drawing near, Congress leaders in Karnataka are clamouring for their president Rahul Gandhi to contest from the state.

Several leaders starting with former chief minister Siddharamaiah have urged that Rahul contest from Karnataka. The state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao has also made a similar demand.

Former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram has, however, called for Rahul Gandhi to contest from Tamil Nadu.

Calling Gandhi the "next Prime Minister of India", Karnataka Congress Legislature Party leader Siddharamaiah recalled his grandmother Indira Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi had contested from Lok Sabha seats in the state.

"Karnataka has always supported & encouraged @INCIndia leaders. It has been proved in case of Smt. Indira ji & Smt. Sonia ji.

"We also want our next Prime Minister of India Shri. @RahulGandhi to contest from Karnataka & herald new developmental paradigm," Siddaramaiah said in a tweet, using the hashtag ...