Saying the Congress has no role in the apparent infighting within the Bharatiya Janata Party, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president and Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Friday said the recent developments were the BJP’s internal matter.
“We need not bank on the differences within their party to face the next elections,” he said. Dr. Parameshwara was speaking to journalists in Halli Mysuru of Holenarsipur taluk, where he inaugurated a police station.
He said the party was confident of retaining power in next year’s Assembly polls because of the pro-people programmes it has introduced. “We will go to the polls with a collective leadership. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lead the team,” he said.
Asked about former MP A.H. Vishwanath’s recent statements hinting at his quitting from the Congress, Dr. Parameshwara said he has appealed to him not to do so. “I am confident that he will remain with the party,” he added.
Regarding recruitments in the Home Department, the Minister said the present government has recruited the highest number of policemen in recent years. “The government has decided to recruit [another] 8,000 policemen. The process will start soon,” he said.
