Daijiworld Media Network - Yadgir (SP)

Yadgir, Feb 21: BJP state president and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, predicted that the Congress is headed for a vertical split in near future. He expected this development to happen in about three month’s time. He also said that former chief minister and leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah, will part ways with the Congress and form a new party.

Commenting on the inordinate delay in the appointment of a new president for Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Kateel said that the national leaders had deputed All India Congress Committee general secretary K C Venugopal, to hold discussions with the party leaders, adding that even national president of the party, Sonia Gandhi, had intervened and held discussions with state leaders. However, he said, there has not been any positive outcome.

Kateel said that if D K Shivakumar becomes the state Congress president, Siddaramaiah will leave the party. On the other hand, if a leader of Siddaramaiah's choice is made Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Shivakumar will leave the party, he stated. He also analyzed that if by chance, the leadership is able to forge an understanding between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, then former deputy chief minister, Parameshwar will quit. He therefore said that the future of the Congress in the state is bleak.