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
Those killed Harish Poojari get bail and CBI find out the voice that terrorist Butta also free from jail.
those who did not killed anyone until now, they are in jail. Big tragedy in judicial system.
May Allah help those innocent, who suffering in jail, without any charge and punish those who criminal free from jail.
Mr Rafique , discussing about conversion is unwarranted here . comment on subject .
ISIS is biggest conspiracy of vested interests to malign islam , anti muslims are more feared spread of islamic idealogy through out the world.
Latest propaganda and arrests are part of that conspiracy in India also.
Insha Allah , Islam will overplay all conspiracies, as Al Qaida conspiracy calm down..
if you are a christain at home.....why there is always effort from your religion for foreceful conversion outside ?
And if you are a congress supporter or not I am not bothered. bcos all political parties are alike...
i cant believe, what the hell is happening in mangalore, look at him he cant hold one ice candy in his hand, and planned to carry big big bombs,
whether u partly agree or not , it is upto u ..
We all know which religion is creating more problem in the world. as per new records 467 out of 469 suicide bombings linked to your faith . it means something is really wrong and it has to be fixed and addressed and In india, we dont see your community integrated with rest of the population (may be 5% integration ), when they are alienated , this type of things do happen . Radical islam has to be blamed .Being a proud christians we say , we are proud Indians first and then we are christian at home . this concept will you accept ? certainly not. you people still in denial mode in this case , so what message are you giving it for the whole society? I am also a supporter of congress and i dont feel anything wrong in ITS action .
Partly agree with George.....
Keep aside religion - punish the anti National, irrespective of religion/caste. But we have concerns when people start targeting whole Muslim community,and painting in same brush as culprits.
i dont agree with muslims in this forum ... these guys working against India . so they need to have capital punishment . BJP is not targeting minorities , if it was it would not have arrested Hindu army and airforce guys who collaborated with ISI ... So I would say .. shoot to kill is the only solution for this menace . ISIS rogues are targeting youngsters .,when 100's of christaian terrorists were caught by agencies , particularly north east ... christian community didnot object it as it national cause nothing to do with religion .. so keep aside religion and think as indian
India has Supporters who like ISIS ideology like the one who was caught in Bangalore.
ISIS threatens #Bangalore Police after Mehdi’s arrest, warns of revenge
Bangalore ISIS is using IP addresses the UK sold to Saudi Arabia
Bangalore ISIS builts its own encrypted Android messaging app
Bangalore was amongst the safest area in India. Now, be it today's suspicious objects at Cauvery theater junction or ISIS's Shami Witness.
Viren.....looks like you are also victim of casteism.
As we all know even now there is widespread discrimination against Dalits..backward classes amongst majority community
so dont rejoice.....it may boomerang
In fact techie help stop people from joining ISIS
Nazmul Huda was encouraging youngsters to join a isis.
Karnataka turning into d safest place for Terrorists wake-up sidd
ATS arrested Najmul Hudha(25yrs) n Syed Hussain(25yrs) #ISIS terrorists in Mangalore n Tumkur. Central Govt. is targeting minorities.
All brilliant students from Muslim and Dalit community are being targeted by Sanghis and pro Sangh cops with the help of ISIS.
A good news finally. Subject them to rigorous interrogation and torture them until they speak out the truth.
Add new comment