Karnataka independent MLA Latha Mallikarjun has extended her unconditional support to the Congress party in the state, according to AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala. Latha Mallikarjun, the daughter of former Deputy Chief Minister M P Prakash, won the Harapanahalli seat in the recent assembly elections, defeating BJP’s G Karunakara Reddy by a margin of 13,845 votes. Her support to the Congress party is seen as a significant move in a state where post-poll alliances are crucial to forming a government.
Surjewala thanked Latha Mallikarjun, her husband Mallikarjun, and all her supporters and well-wishers for their support and said that together they would serve the 6.5 crores Kannadigas. The AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka added that Latha Mallikarjun extended her support to the Congress party in the state because of her ideological roots and commitment to Congress ideals.
The Congress party won an emphatic victory in the May 10 elections to the 224-member Assembly, securing 135 seats, while the ruling BJP and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda-led Janata Dal (Secular) won 66 and 19 seats, respectively. In post-poll scenarios, alliances with independent candidates and smaller parties often play a decisive role in forming a government.
Latha Mallikarjun’s father, M P Prakash, was a veteran socialist and Janata Parivar leader who had joined Congress in his last days. His son, M P Ravindra, continued his father’s legacy in the Congress party until he died in 2018. With Latha Mallikarjun’s support, the Congress party has gained a valuable ally in the state, increasing its chances of forming a government.
