Congress mines V S Ugrappa for Ballari Lok Sabha byelection

Ballari: After a morning of hectic deliberations, the Congress on Monday decided to field MLC V.S. The Congress' decision to field Mr Ugrappa despite the many local aspirants for the Ballari has surprised many in political circles. The Congress, which won six of the eight assembly seats in Ballari district in the May poll, leaving only two for the BJP, believes it has the upper hand in the LS bypoll. The outsider factor could be a challenge to the Congress as the BJP's candidate, Ms Shantha, is a known face in the constituency and is strongly backed by her brother and Valmiki strongman, B Sriramulu, who until recently represented it in parliament. If Mr Sriramulu is the real man behind the scenes in the BJP's battle for Ballari, it is believed that minister, D K Shivakumar is the Congress' backroom maneuverer in the constituency.