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.
Comments
Why not make pipeline supply and remove all these tankers out of road??!!
I am surprised to see people are gathered around there without any fear...a little spark of fire will destroy everything up there...they should be away from that spot at least something around 200 meters.
The PERNE incident remembered! But why MRPL is lethargic in implementing the safety in transportation??
This is result of \MAKE IN INDIA\". Poor design of roads, poor quality of roads, poor quality of safety procedures, poor quality of tanker drivers, poor emergency procedures and yet feku says make in india"
Mangalore Bantwal Highway is probably the worst 4 lane Highway in India!!
Such tight turnings on a highway results in such accidents.
Ban all these bullet tankers moving on the road. Wherever it moves create problems. The public should aware the danger of these kind of tankers piling on the roads with hazardous materials. Instead of transporting these kind of hazardous materials/gas on the road let the companies use railway transport. Dear friends take this issue to the court directly. Banging govt dept doors is no use, because this system is a big lobby.
This tanker drivers consume alcohol in the night and drive. Thats why such accidents repeatedly occurring in the night. Must cancel their license first.
driver driving the tanker or cleaner ?
threat to the people, this s not first time. last time we lost 9 lives homes, terrible movement still this happening in a monthly interval time. this tanker should be banned to travel in the city.
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