If my name is not in the first list, it will be in the second list: Veerappa Moily

MANGALORE: Ever since Union petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily's name failed to appear on the first list released by Congress a few days back, there have been a lot of speculation on the candidate for Chikkaballapur parliamentary constituency.

The rumours range from Moily not getting ticket to Telugu actor Chiranjeevi being fielded from the constituency. But, what does the person in the middle of this controversy has to say?

Union minister Veerappa Moily asserts that his candidature for Chikkaballapur is a certainty. "These rumours are absolutely false. No basis at all," he told TOI.

Regarding his name not being in the first list, Moily quipped: If it is not in the first list it will be in the second list.

"I am also the member of Central Election Committee. I know what is happening," he said without elaborating why his name did not appear in the first list. "Today's (Wednesday) meeting will decide on the second list which will be announced by evening or on Thursday morning," Moily added.

So, his name on second list is a certainty and he will contest from Chikkaballapur? "As it is yes. I'm there," Moily quipped.

According to internal sources, a union minister hailing from Jammu and Kashmir had allegedly prevented Moily's name being included in the first list citing FIR filed against Moily by the erstwhile Kejriwal government.

There was also the case of Yettinahole drinking water project which was inaugurated in Chikkaballapur last week. While people raised anti-Moily slogans at Kolar, a beneficiary district of the project and alleged he had neglected the constituency, in Dakshina Kannada where he hails from, there was a bandh observed and the protest which was headed by Congress party leaders.