Bengaluru: Much to the annoyance of local Congress leaders, some senior ministers in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet have been publicly heaping praise on former Prime Minister and JDS supremo, H D Deve Gowda during their visits to Hassan.
Even senior Congress leader, C.M. Ibrahim recently joined the "praise Gowda brigade", recalls treasurer of the Hassan District Congress Committee, Thamalapura Ganesh, warning the ministers that he would bring the matter to the attention of Mr Digvijay Singh who is in charge of the Karnataka Congress.
The trend began with minister for rural development, H K Patil who was vocal in his appreciation for the JDS leader during a visit to Holenarsipur not so long ago. Then district in-charge minister, H C Mahadevappa spoke highly of Mr Gowda before the Lok Sabha polls.
A couple of days ago, Mr Ibrahim, who shared a dais with him at a function was full praise for him embarassing local Congress leaders. It appears old habits die hard as both Mr Mahadevappa and Mr Ibrahim were in the JDS before they left it to join the Congress after the exit of Mr Siddaramaiah from the party.
“What will Siddaramaiah or president of the KPCC, Dr Parameshwar have to say about this? Praising Deve Gowda is not acceptable,” said a Congress leader. Another leader said he had taken strong exception to Mr Patil praising Mr Gowda, but was told to look the other way..
