The Congress has finally got into election mode in Karnataka, with four main leaders now in place to balance the key caste equations in the state.

Following interactions with the party high command last week, it has been decided that KPCC president Mallikarjun Kharge, a Scheduled Caste member, would lead the party in the polls, while a recent entrant from the Janata Dal (Secular), Siddaramaiah, from the backward Kuruba caste, has been confirmed for the role of campaign chief.

The party is also set to obtain the services of JD(S) rebel leader and former Home Minister M P Prakash from the dominant Lingayat community, Kharge indicated on Wednesday.

Former Chief Minister S M Krishna, who belongs to the Vokkaliga community, is also tipped to be removed as Maharashtra Governor and return to active politics. He too will then be a key participant in the campaign in Karnataka.

A grand induction programme for Prakash as well as his and Siddaramaiah’s supporters is tentatively scheduled for January 27, Kharge added.

While there were rumours earlier that Prakash was undecided between the BJP and Congress, he reportedly decided to go with the Congress following pressure from a section of his supporters and the promise of tickets.

Krishna has held meetings with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and is reported to have discussed return to active politics. However, in the long run, he is touted to play a role in national politics, probably as a Rajya Sabha MP.

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