New chief for Karnataka Cong. this month

There are ‘minor differences’ in the party, says AICC team leader Venugopal

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Home Minister G. Parameshwara and AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal at a KPCC meet in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) is all set to get a new president later this month.

The All-India Congress Committee (AICC) team led by K.C. Venugopal, general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, has held consultations with over 400 Congress leaders, legislators and Ministers, and found “some differences” among leaders in the State unit. The team has acknowledged a need to revamp and strengthen the party at all levels ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections.

Briefing the media on the team’s deliberations in the last three days, Mr. Venugopal said, “The KPCC will get a president in this month only.” Some leaders have expressed their differences with the State leadership, but Mr. Venugopal expressed confidence in resolving them soon. With the Assembly polls scheduled early next year, leaders are mounting pressure on the AICC team to appoint a new full-time president who can take all leaders and workers together. Though nearly half a dozen leaders are lobbying for the post of KPCC president, sources said several leaders have demanded the appointment of a Dalit leader as the State unit chief if the incumbent, G. Parameshwara, is to step down.

Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil, and former Minister S.R. Patil are all lobbying for the post.

To ensure cordial relations between the government and the party, the central leadership generally appoints a candidate suggested by the Chief Minister, sources said.

The AICC team is expected to submit its report with candidate recommendations to the central leadership in a few days.

Style of functioning

With a few leaders complaining about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s style of functioning, Mr. Venugopal, who chaired the first meeting of the coordination panel, has reportedly suggested that Mr. Siddaramaiah take all leaders along with him. Mr. Parameshwara, who is also holding the Home portfolio, has been told to “ensure justice” to party workers, a source said.

Terming the track record of the State government as “excellent” overall, the AICC team commended the regime’s welfare schemes. The team is expected to visit the State again towards the end of May for further assessment.

Mr. Venugopal claimed that the Opposition BJP has been dividing people on caste and communal lines, but the electorate would teach a “fitting lesson” to the party next year.