Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Updated

Bengaluru, Apr 16: Congress high command, which has patted the backs of the state Congress leaders for snatching victory amidst challenges posed by their own former leaders and BJP in both the assembly bypolls held last week, have asked the chief minister (CM) to go ahead with the task of nominating people to three vacant seats in legislative council. However, contrary to what was reported earlier, it is gathered that no discussions were held about ministry expansion between the CM and party high command.

Buoyed by the victory, the party high command has also told the leaders to begin preparing the ground for the next year's assembly election by setting into motion the process of selection of candidates to avoid last minute hurry. They have advised the party leaders of Karnataka to sink their differences and put up united face.

On Saturday April 15, Karnataka CM, Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dr G Parameshwar, met national president of the party, Sonia Gandhi, and vice president, Rahul Gandhi, at New Delhi and held discussions with them. On this occasion, the leaders were congratulated for impressive victory of party candidates in Gundlupet and Nanjangud bypolls.

It is said that several legislators including B B Chimanakatti, Ashok Pattana, H M Revanna, K N Rajanna and C S Shivalli, who are trying hard to become ministers, will have to wait in the wings for now as the issue was not discussed.

For the three vacant seats in the state legislative council, four names were in the race till Friday. On Saturday, two more names, one of actor and former BJP legislator, Mukhyamantri Chandru, and director, Indrajeet Lankesh, were added to this list. Out of the six, C M Lingappa and J C Chandrashekhar belong to Vokkaliga group, Mohan Kondajji and Indrajeet Lankesh to Lingayat community, with Chandru and K P Nanjundi being considered under artistes quota. Therefore, one each from these three groups are likely to get the nod, as per current indications.

At the same time, discussions reportedly were also held with Rahul Gandhi about preparing the pitch to face the next assembly election under the leadership of a new president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. There are indications that this issue might be finalized in about a month. In addition to current incumbent, Dr G Parameshwar, several others like D K Shivakumar, MB Patil and K H Muniyappa have evinced interest to occupy this position.

In the meanwhile, Siddaramaiah plans to visit JD(S) supremo and his long time adversary, H D Deve Gowda, and thank him for not fielding candidates in the recent bypolls which made it easy for the Congress candidates to register win. He pointed out that during the last four years, the government had faced nine bypolls, winning six among them. He however, dismissed possibility of entering into electoral alliance with the JD(S).