Tumakuru: Abiding by party diktat, Congress rebel candidate and sitting MP S.P. Muddahanumegowda, who had filed his papers from Tumakuru Parliamentary constituency, will withdraw his nomination papers today, the last day for withdrawal of papers. Even former Congress MLA K.N. Rajanna who had filed papers as independent was set to take back his papers.

Muddahanumegowda was upset over high command decision of ceding the ticket to JD(S). Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda will fight now as a coalition candidate against BJP’s G.S. Basavaraju. Congress leaders including former CM Siddharamaiah, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara had made all efforts to convince Muddahanumegowda till the last minute.