With the Union government approving the proposal to grant special status to Hyderabad-Karnataka, Congress leaders from the region feel the time has come for veteran Congressman and Union labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge to return to state politics. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, sources close to Mr Kharge said that the former KPCC president would like to return to state politics as Karnataka is his first choice. "Even though, he has not openly discussed his plans for a comeback, we strongly feel Mr Kharge would be more than happy to return to Karnataka," the source stated. Even Mr Kharge had hinted at his comeback sometime ago, said the sources.
With the H-K region getting a bonanza in the form of special status under article 371, the Congress can make the most of it by winning more than 25 of the 40 Assembly seats in the region if Mr Kharge is requested to contest from Chittapur assembly constituency. “Mr Kharge narrowly missed the CM’s post in 1999 and 2004. His performance as minister in various departments such as co-operation, revenue, home and water resources and above all as leader of the opposition between 1994 to 1999, was excellent. He has also put up a good show as Union labour minister. If we sweep Hyderabad-Karnataka, he is sure to emerge as a strong contender for the post of CM in 2013. This has made the buzz about his reentry into state politics all the more intense," the source contended.