The Congress party’s chief ministerial candidates may have started swelling months before elections. AICC general secretary Margaret Alva, who is said to be keen on the chief ministerial ‘gaddi’ is understood to be considering contesting for Karnataka Legislative Assembly elections.

Alva, in charge of party affairs in Maharashtra, is said to have informed the high command that she is keen on contesting elections for the State Assembly, which has now been dissolved. The elections are expected to be held in April-May.

Congress sources told Deccan Herald here on Friday that the former Union minister, if allowed to contest, may chose a constituency in Belgaum district or Bharatinagar in Bangalore city.

Bharatinagar was represented by former chief secretary J Alexander during 1999-2004.
Alva, who recently denied that she was negotiating with JD(S) president H D Deve Gowda on a tie-up with a proposal to make her chief minister, was not available for comment.

The vocal party leader was a member of the 13th Lok Sabha from Kanara constituency and several times Rajya Sabha member. Party sources say Alva was keen on throwing her hat in the ring in the event of Congress coming to power.

Alva is the second Central leader who is keen to contest Assembly elections. Mandya MP Ambareesh has already stated that he would like to try his hand in state politics and contest Assembly polls. Former chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader S Bangarappa too is not happy being in Parliament.

Already, there are several leaders with chief ministerial ambitions, including KPCC president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Opposition leader in Assembly Dharam Singh, backward class leader Siddaramaiah, Opposition leader in Council H K Patil and others including D K Shivakumar, Union ministers M V Rajasekharan and K H Muniyappa.
Alva is currently honourary advisor of the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training and by virtue of it retains her official bungalow in Delhi.