Let Siddu resign and pave way fordalit' Parameshwar to save Cong: Poojary

Mangaluru, Oct 31: Asking Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah to step down, Congress veteran B Janardhana Poojary suggested the party to make G Parameshwar, a dalit, the new CM.

“A change in leadership is necessary for the party to come back to power,” the former union minister told media persons here on Monday.

Quoting a Kannada TV channel survey, Mr Poojary predicted the downfall of Congress government in the state in the next Assembly election, if Siddaramaiah does not resign now. He pointed out that 15-20 Congress MLAs have already started revolting against the party and said, "ouster of just 10 MLAs will lead to fall of Congress government in the state."

Poojary, former Union Minister, suggested the names of Congress leaders S M Krishna and D K Shivakumar for the chief minister's post. "Let Siddaramaiah resign and pave way for a dalit chief minister in the state. Let him create history for allowing a dalit to rule the state a chief minister. Survey reports suggest that the Congress will not win next Assembly election.

People across the nation have been seeing Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleagues sleeping in the Assembly. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already launched a campaign for Congress-free India and the BJP in the state is all set to form government. However, Siddaramaiah is yet to wake up," Poojary said.

Talking about dissent in the party, Poojary questioned Siddaramaiah for being apathetic. "Have you (Siddaramaiah) decided that Congress will not win next election? Have you made it final that you will not become the chief minister again? Are you trying to fool Congress party workers? Have you become a joker? Remember that it is not you who elected the party in the state. It is the people of Karnataka who elected Congress," Poojary lambasted.