A Manju mends his ways, becomes minister

HASSAN: Congress MLA A Manju and now Minister had to mend his ways to win the confidence of local party leaders to smoothen his way to becoming a minister in the Siddaramaiah ministry. Manju represents Arakalgudu assembly segment in Hassan.

Since, Manju did not enjoy a good relationship with some of the senior Congress leaders of the district it had proved costly for the legislator who had to miss out on the opportunity of joining Siddaramaiah ministry in May 2013. Though, Manju was listed among the MLAs to be inducted into the Siddamaraiah ministry, his name was omitted at the last minute.

Unhappy with Manju’s style of functioning, a few local Congress leaders had created hurdles for him. However, this time, Manju took local party leaders into confidence to put pressure on the senior party leaders to secure a ministerial berth and it paid off for him.

Former Minister and District Congress president B Shivaram told Deccan Chronicle on Thursday that Mr Manju took leaders into confidence this time and all leaders obliged and stood by him to impress upon the party leaders to get a ministerial berth in the State Government.

Mr Shivaram said there was discontent earlier among local Congress leaders that Manju had ignored them and it proved costly for him.

Mr Manju and Rudresh Gowda Y N, representing Belur segment, are the two MLAs representing Congress in Hassan while JD (S) legislators wrested the six other assembly seats in the district and the parliamentary seat is represented by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

Former MLA C S Puttegowda who quit JD(S) to join Congress said, apart from development of the district Manju has to focus also on consolidating the party in Hassan which is strong hold of JD(S).

Mr Puttegowda termed Manju an able leader to consolidate the party in Hassan which needs to be energised to take on the Janata Dal (S).