Discontentment within a section of Congress leaders came to the fore in Mandya Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday with former Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy throwing away the mike in anger at a meeting of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders in Nagamangala.
The meeting, at the block Congress office, was held to convince leaders of both parties to work together for the success of the JD(S) candidate.
Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy, who presided the meeting, is a known opponent of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his family.
Congress workers said they were not ready to seek votes for the coalition candidate L.R. Shivarame Gowda, who is from the JD(S). Such alliances, whether pre- or post-poll, would affect the party and the political prospects of its leaders, many argued.
Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy told the workers that the meeting was convened to remove the discontent among them “on the instructions of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah”.
Many leaders expressed their disappointment over the Congress leadership giving away the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency to the JD(S), saying such decisions would make it difficult for them to strengthen the party in future.
Some leaders alleged that JD(S) leader K. Suresh Gowda, MLA, was targeting Congress workers.
Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy, who was formerly with the JD(S), lost his temper and threw away the mike. He said: “It all happened because of you [Congress workers] by not working effectively for the Congress and electing JD(S) candidates in all seven Assembly constituencies in the district.”
Mr. Shivarame Gowda, who also attended the meeting along with some of his supporters, was visibly taken aback when Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy threw the mike. However, addressing the Congress leaders and workers later, he said he would safeguard their interests.
“I request everyone to forget everything and support me,” he said with tears in his eyes.
