Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president G. Parameshwara on Tuesday indicated that he is a strong contender for the KPCC chief’s post, saying he is capable of managing three posts at a time.
Responding to a question at a press conference here, Mr. Parameshwara said he would have shunned either of the positions long back if they were taxing. He is managing with ease the responsibilities as KPCC president, Home Minister of the State and in-charge Minister for Chikkamagaluru district, Mr. Parameshwara said.
At a time when Congress is gearing up for organisational polls, Mr. Parameshwara said PCC chief need not always be appointed through election. A majority of the time, PCC members pass a one-line resolution authorising the high command to take the decision and the high command might decide “to continue” (with the incumbent), he said.
To another question, Mr. Parameshwara said there are many other capable leaders in the party to lead the State unit. With the All India Congress Committee (AICC) giving May 15 as the final deadline to enrol new members, organisational elections have gained momentum. Elections will be held to choose representatives from the panchayat level to the all-India level and the process is likely to get completed by October, Mr. Parameshwara said.
On Assembly polls
The KPCC chief was not categorical in stating that all the 124 sitting Congress MLAs will get tickets to contest the 2018 Assembly polls. “The high command has to take the decision,” he said.
Meanwhile, the party has already commenced the process of identifying winnable candidates and sent observers across the State. Even the sitting MLAs’ performance will be gauged, he said. To a question whether rebel JD(S) MLAs, some of whom are keen on joining the Congress, are assured tickets for the 2018 polls, Mr. Parameshwara said they too will come under scrutiny applicable for sitting Congress MLAs.
District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai, Shakuntala Shetty, MLA for Puttur, and others were present.
