Bengaluru, Jan 15: The on-going process to select a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president is likely to drag on for few more days with former CM and opposition leader Siddaramaiah making a strong pitch for former minister MB Patil over DK Shivakumar for the post.
Siddaramaiah, who met AICC president Sonia Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders in New Delhi on Tuesday, reportedly argued in favour of Patil, saying his elevation would help the party win Lingayats to the fold.
“Yediyurappa, the undisputed leader of the Lingayat community, is almost at the end of his career and it is an opportunity for the Congress to gain the confidence of the community. Being a leader from North Karnataka, Patil fits the bill perfectly,” Siddaramaiah reportedly told Sonia.
Siddaramaiah is said to be backing Patil over Shivakumar as he is worried about losing his hold over the state unit, given Shivakumar’s popularity. While Sonia did give the former CM a patient hearing, she is said to have told him that he should obey and cooperate with whatever decision high command takes.
The high command is looking to evolve consensus on the new state president. “Sonia’s meeting with Siddaramaiah is part of this exercise. She wants to keep everybody in the loop,” said a functionary.
Siddaramaiah also met senior leaders Ahmed Patel and AK Anthony. He is expected to meet former AICC president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.
However, some including Mallikarjun Kharge and Shamanur Shivashankarappa have expressed reservations against Patil’s elevation, pointing to his role in the controversial separate Lingayat religion issue which dented the Congress’ prospects in the 2018 assembly polls.
“He has a very bad name among Lingayats and making him president would prove counter-productive. Moreover, it is difficult to win back Lingayats as long as Yediyurappa is active in politics,” said a senior Congress leader.
Another functionary said a majority of state functionaries — and even some in the high command — favour Shivakumar as he is not only “resourceful”, but also has momentum. “With HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy losing popularity among Vokkaligas, the possibility of the community backing Shivakumar is high. This may land him the top job,” the functionary said.
Ali Khan aka Don, who contested the 2013 Assembly elections from Bidar South, had made a video denouncing Saeed for his remarks on the Uri terror attack and the “surgical strikes” carried out by the Indian Army. Ali posted the video on WhatsApp and it went viral.
Comments
Pakistanis have crossed the limits .India must nuke them...may be they might fire few nukes ...but India even after losing some population will be there ...Pakistan is a curse for entire world ...I sincerely request our powerful pm to conduct massive attack in Pakistani soil..our Modiji really on right track be it in black money ..70,000 crores in just 4 months its something amazing and he came to states help during kaveri crisis .my vote and my family vote next time for BJP.please give chance to real Muslim leaders like mr Abdul azim in the new govt .we are sick of chaprasi congress leaders.
Jeevan, Dubai is not in India....you need to go back to school....
in my opinion he should return back to india, they are more powerful in saudi. if they have guts come to india and threaten them only one shot will bhoom them to hell.
Ali khan is a real indian, this big hole pakistanis cant do anything to him or his son,
hijda pakistanis always play hide and seek, come infront and talk bas***ds.
No need to worry aamir.. pakistanis always toss.. they only know to bark they wont bite.
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