Bengaluru, Jan 5: A day after senior Congress leaders in Karnataka met to build consensus for the way ahead, the race for the post of KPCC President hotted up on Sunday with aspirants and their supporters stepping up efforts to secure the coveted posts.
Senior leader D K Shivakumar, seen as a frontrunner for the post, met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at his residence amid reports that he was lobbying in favour of one of his confidants.
Meanwhile, another senior party legislator Satish Jarkiholi made it clear he was capable of discharging the responsibility if the high command asked him to do so.
Also, loyalists of senior leader and former Minister Ramalinga Reddy came up with social media posts, pushing forward his name for KPCC President.
Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao quit their posts after the party fared poorly, winning only two of the 15 seats in the bypolls while it had held 12 of them.
According to party sources, though Siddaramaiah is likely to retain the position of Leader of Opposition, the CLP leader post may be given to some one else.
The sources also said replacement of KPCC President was most likely as Dinesh Gundu Rao's resignation could be accepted.
Shivakumar is seen as the frontrunner for the KPCC President post and has already held discussions with high command in this regard.
His meeting with Siddaramaiah, who is expected to travel to Delhi soon to hold discussions with the high command, assumes significance amid reports that the former chief minister was favouring one of his confidants for the post.
Shivakumar during the meeting sought Siddaramaiah's cooperation for his appointment to the coveted post, with a promise to work under his leadership, sources said.
However, speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shivakumar said he had worked under Siddaramaiah as legislator and Minister, and there was nothing special about the nearly two-hour-long meeting.
"...Im not a competitor for any post, I won't ask for any post, that time is over. I'm a karyakarta of the party and will work as karyakarta," he said in response to a question, adding he will abide by the party's decision.
On the other hand, Congressleader andYamakanamaradi MLASatish Jarkiholi said he was ready to take up the responsibility if the party high command decides so.
"It has been decided to cooperate and work under the leadership of anyone, whom the party high command decides (as President). Let's see, it is for the high command to decide (who will be KPCC President)," he said.
In response to a question from reporters in Belagavi if he was aspiring for the post, Jarikholi said, "I havent asked, but if given I will manage it efficiently..."
Meanwhile, loyalist of seven-time Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, came up with a social media post, demanding KPCC President post for the leader.
"Seven-time @INCKarnataka MLA and former Home Minister Sri @RLR_BTM for #KPCC President. #Congress #Karnataka #RamalingaReddy #BTMLayout #BBMP #Bengaluru," former Mayor of Bengaluru City and a close confidant of Reddy, B N Manjunatha Reddy tweeted.
Last year during the political turmoil faced by the coalition government, Ramalinga Reddy had threatened to resign, unhappy at being sidelined in the party.
He had later decided to stay with the Congress after the high command intervened.
With a virtual vacuum in the state Congress following the resignation of its top leadership after the rout in the recent Assembly bypolls, senior party leaders had met here on Saturday with an aim to build a consensus for the way ahead.
According to sources, the meeting was convened after instructions from the high command to iron out differences and build consensus on taking the party forward and regarding appointments to key posts, before coming to Delhi for discussions.
Senior leader K H Muniyappa and KPCC Working President Eshwar Khandreare seen as the other aspirants for the President post.
Ssenior leaders G Parameshwara along with H K Patil are among those seen as the frontrunners for the CLP leader post vacated by Siddaramaiah.
Mr Khader, who is also the minister for food and civil supplies and consumer affairs in Karnataka, said: Mr Modi has so much of concern over the developments in Balochistan, but is least bothered about the injustice that Karnataka is facing on this vital issue. “Is Balochistan more important for you than Karnataka,” Mr Khader questioned.
Comments
Balochistan may be important for him, may be next he will run for UN Gen. Secretary's post.
Another important thing from his speech, \When terrorists killed school children in Balochistan, Hindustan, Parliament had tears. Every Indian school was in tears.\"
But, what happened to his \"Tears\" when Gujarat terror happened?? when unborn babies are killed in mother's wombs????"
Really joky comments here by sangheez....utk please wait till our pm finish his world travel drama and selfie collection.....modi already called naren and Viren....trouble makers in the name of go raksha...ha ha...what more should the bhakts need.....shameless creatures ...
Do not put any dislikes or likes for the comments posted by Ve_r_n or N_r_n. Because more you put dislikes they get more encouraged to write provocative comments.
Naren, what a rubbish..... you cannot tolerate that a muslim is a minister....
Utk stop doing drama baazi ...u r fit for nothing ...we all know what u did when u worked as health minister ...35 rs medicine invoiced at 300rs ...hogappa saaku ...kandideeni ...if u r a powerful leader stand in the constituency where Indians are in large no ...u are winning election becoz of j_h_d_ votes .
Modi has no time to meet Siddarammayya to discss Kavery issue, but he has plenty of time to turn his flight to Pakistan and to eat biriyani with Nawaz Shareef.
Mangana kayyalli maanikya kotta haage aagide.
what can you expect from Moun minister....he will wake up during election time and give some speech to fool his blind bhakts like viren...by raising hand..fingers...
great Mouni Baba. never we seen such Mouni baba in Indian History. Manege Maari Pararige Upakaari
He may not go against the Supreme court... but... ahem...ahem...What about Yettinahole Sir?
Good points by Mr Prajwal. These days all bachchalis pose questions to Modiji just to get publicity. That's the power of 'NaMo Naamochchara'
Mr Khader!
You know that Karnataka is integral part of India. But, Modiji knows that both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are integral parts of India. Where were you when Manmohan Singh was India's PM? Did he intervene in Cauvery row? Did he help Kannadigas?
for Karnataka people, Karnataka is more important than India....For Modi Baluch is more important than India....shame....
Delhi
Karnataka
and those states who doesnt bow down to cheddis will face injustice ...
But dont worry Truth will prevail even if the evil cheddis play many deception (temporary enjoyment for cheddis) to fool the public with fake IT cell of cheddis.
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