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.
Comments
Yedi & Shoba Always to be in Media with no Reason. Why is Media promoting when BJP says Madrasa is giving rise to Terrorist. Media is blowing things out of propotion. What happend with Hemanth Karkere(HK)? Who Killed him? He was telling the news of actual terrorist in India. Hope everyone remembers what HK revealed. I dont support any of the party. But BJP did biggest blunder by doing demonitization. Just to make their money white. People please grow up. See the Petrol price HIKE happening. Why SHELL petrol does not have Subisidy? Why GST is not introduced in Petrol ? There are so many things to think about. These people play with law & order. See yeddy is so confident giving Dhamki to Police. Only god can Save us !!!
The common man of India is struggling for fulfilling his basic needs, he wants peace, he does not need leaders who divide society on caste and religious grounds and create chaos and hatred in the country.
Well said, Most of the BJP leaders are responsible to created violation.
Statistics show that more Indians have been killed by RSS than by Pakistani terrorists.
Who then is worse?
Is she a member of parliment or she a member of RSS, I havent seen any statement from shobha who has talked of development from her mouth. every time her statement is about RSS/sangh parivar, Does she deserve a MP seat? its better she owes her full time to RSS intead of being a MP. Shame on her she represents the whole constituency not only RSS AND SANGH PARIVAR TERRORISTS
what STRATERGY to DISTURB PEACE OF OUR NAMMA NADU KARNATAKA
Fact is a fact, why Amit shah is not in the group,who is the main culprit holding 14 muderes on his head
"BJP gay nachgayne Illa",
if they have little shame left all these leadres would have not come to street with head's down for their super leaders who committed the crimes,
Indirectly it shows that they confirms what Mr Siddaramaih says..!!!
"nanu BJP nanu RSS", not full
"nanu BJP nanu RSS nanu BrahminBaniaJumlaParty", better!!!
Hindus beware of Brahmin Domination in RSS, they dominated exploited non-brahmins for past 5000 years, dont let them control us!!!
All are equal in Democracy, RSS is a Rascist organisation, majority leaders are Brahmins! Dont forget!!!
Congis are ######s, they were responsible for 1984.
Bjp are ######s, they were responsible for 1992, 2002.
Indira made a political decision, bad decision BUt a political one.
Advani, Joshi, Uma bharati gave speeches in Ayodhya which started riots killing of 3000 people.
Both parties have blood on their hands.
Both need to be sacked and someone better needs to be brought in.
@Truth
Excellent question. The current vicious atmosphere is because of them
Who perpetrated 1984 anti-sikh riots? RSS?
Good decision. Please go and sit in jail.
Nanu shoba matthu yediyurappa naau bjp rss bajarang te ... r.. r ... t ect.....
Another comedy by Sho-bokka. Please try a good mimicry
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