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
KAR-NATAKA...
:(
Most of the picture shows they are laughing also the police.. Which raises question of understanding!
Der was a statement frm our Dept regarding d stiff action. Is dis called stiff action?
Stiff action wud b a reality if scenario was different, if muslims was protest without permission.
Double standard
why laathi is not working here ??
Enough drama...Dirty politics...
Wah eth maryadeyna janaklu.. and oh my deware what a huge huge dozens of crowds.. oh my deware i cant even count how many they are :D
You foolish guys, Tippu did not destroy temples but in fact he built them and renovated them all....
In fact you destroyed babri masjid a few years back....how bad you guys are....moreover killing innocent muslims at that time and as well during modi's regime in Gujrath...bad people....
Tippu Zindabad!
How they laugh each other like children are playing. this is nothing else they know each other very well because both are chaddis.
In delhi how they drag Najeeb's mother .
well done BJP protest till end.
Kateel is a elected Member of Parliament. He should keep it in mind that all community from his constituency voted for his current position.
Every indian can protest. Then why Mr. Kateel is not participating in Muslim or Christian community protest?? Amazing
discrimination.
Wa/ Wa Master Kateel you Criminal looters thought to do some Loot Pat because of the Great Warriors Name!!!!!! Bap Ray Bap Which Part of the world you are in??? when you Criminal Looters thinking what?? we all understand you are all workless and how long you can leave this type of Life???? what you think being MP??
Never ever see like you Buffoon!!!
\Every Dog has its own day Kateelanna\"
Jai Hoo Siddanna,
Jai Hoo Parmarashwaranna."
let them do jayanthi or kabur whats the problem for u guys. please leave the place and queue up in the bank to exchange the notes.
Most of pics.. laughing each other. Protesters & Police.
conspiracy between Protesters and Police \YOU PRETEND LIKE BEATEN UP AND I PRETEND LIKE BEATING UP\""
Why police released all of this Gundas. Police should have done lati charge and put all of them behind bar under gunda act. Instead of carrying them like babies police could have beaten them with lati. Because of these anti national elements ad terrorists our india is in danger. Please punish them all including our useless MP.
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