Terming the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s charges against the ruling Congress as “baseless”, All-India Congress Committee team led by K.C. Venugopal has challenged the BJP to come for a public debate on the performance of the Siddaramaiah government.
“We can challenge the performance of the Congress government in Karnataka with that of the BJP governments in any State. We are ready for an open debate on the performance of the government,” Mr. Venugopal, AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, said after four days of brainstorming sessions with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president G. Parameshwara, Ministers, legislators, and DCC presidents.
Replying to queries at a press meet on Thursday, Mr. Venugopal, MP, said there were no evidences to prove charges against the Siddaramaiah government. “Is there any valid proof?” he said.
With elections to the State Legislative Assembly likely to held in less than 10 months, he took a dig at the BJP’s poll strategy, and said, “Sudden love towards Dalits” would not work for the BJP in the coming elections.
‘Malicious campaign’
“They are doing drama ... Why has this affection come now? Affection towards Dalits should come from the minds of the political parties.” The BJP’s “malicious campaign” would not work in the 2018 elections as Congress leaders have expressed confidence of winning a majority of seats, the senior leader said.
In an effort to bring in confidence and unity among the party’s rank and file, the AICC team has asked senior leaders and legislators to refrain from criticising the Congress leadership or the Chief Minister. “We will not tolerate any criticism against the government. You wait and see. We will take action against leaders who criticise the government,” he warned.
The AICC leader, who held consultations with 35 DCC presidents, also instructed all Ministers to spend more time in the districts to ensure effective implementation of schemes. Noting differences in several district units, he said secretaries in charge of districts had been instructed to ensure unity among leaders.
To strengthen the organisation at the grass-roots level, the AICC general secretary told the KPCC chief to reorganise booth-level committees before June 30. A conference of booth-level workers would be held in Raichur soon. Asked about new KPCC president, he said the appointment would be made by this month-end.
