KPCC chief rules out change in leadership

‘LS polls should not be seen as a referendum on the State government’

G. Parameshwara

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara on Friday ruled out a change in leadership in the State after the Lok Sabha election results are out.

Exuding confidence that the Congress would win at least 20 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, Dr. Parameshwara said the elections should not be seen as a referendum on the State government.

He said he himself and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be responsible for whatever be the election outcome. As the two “of us are heading the party and the government in the State, we have the responsibility” of ensuring the party’s victory in the elections. However, the high command had not fixed any target as reported in the media, he said.

If the party got fewer seats, it would indicate if the approach of the government and the party on development was right or required changes. “If required, we will set things right. This is essential as we have the local body elections in nine months followed by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) polls.”

On JD(S)

Accusing the Janata Dal (Secular) of resorting to “adjustment politics” in the Lok Sabha elections, the KPCC chief said, “The party had entered into a clandestine understanding with the BJP. While the JD(S) candidate in Uttara Kannada withdrew from the contest in the last minute, its candidates in Chamarajanagar and Belgaum remained neutral, thereby benefitting the BJP,” he said.

This was not speculation but a “fact”, he claimed.

On allegations that people with criminal background participated in the campaign by senior leaders, including that of the Chief Minister, Dr. Parameshwara said such persons (with criminal background) could have joined the campaign trail “without the party leaders’ knowledge”.

He said the Congress would never defend, support or encourage criminals or those with criminal background. “Many people join the campaign, especially if a top party leader is canvassing. When we come to know of it, we ask them to go out. There is nothing more to this.”

Dismisses charge

He dismissed allegations by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers that Congress workers had distributed money to voters in the Bangalore Rural constituency. “We have not distributed money to voters. If the AAP wants, it can complain to the Election Commission,” he said.