Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jan 24: It is learnt, that the Congress high command has advised Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R V Deshpande to talk to Siddaramaiah, find out reasons for his aloofness in party affairs and resolve issues if any.

Speaking to the media persons at New Delhi on Thursday January 22 after meeting the party top brass, Deshpande explained that he had requested Siddaramaiah to campaign for the Congress candidates in the recent assembly by-election in Karnataka but he did not oblige. In face, some people considered close to Siddaramaiah campaigned against the Congress candidates, he explained.

"The Congress has been giving recognition to people from backward classes, some of whom even rose to become chief ministers. Siddaramaiah may be nursing a grouse on some commitements made by the party in the past which were not fulfilled. The high command has assured to look into this issue," he said. He expressed the confidence that all problems would be amicably settled before the next Loksabha election.

Deshpande also reportedly requested the top leaders to pave way for the smooth re-entry of ex-Karnataka chief minister Bangarappa into the Congress from Samajwadi Party, as there is opposition to this move by some leaders from the state.