Tumakuru Congress divided over felicitation of new home minister

TUMAKURU: Though it was scheduled to hold a felicitation programme for Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar, the Tumakuru District Congress Committee (DCC) has failed to resolve differences among Congress leaders in the district about holding the programme.

It is said that district leaders of Congress are reportedly not showing enough enthusiasm to conduct the programme. At a meeting held here on Sunday, DCC President Shafi Ahmed expressed helplessness because of leaders’ non co-operation. Madhugiri MLA K.N. Rajanna, a loyalist of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said people cannot be organized for the event as farmers will be busy harvesting their crop.

Following this, Shafi Ahmed is said to have suggested that the event would be organized on a low-key affair. Interestingly, his son-in-law Rafeek Ahmed is the city MLA. Supporters of Law minister T.B. Jayachandra and Tiptur MLA K. Shadakshari showed no interest in the felicitation, said a Congress worker, who attended the meeting. This proves the clear division in the Congress in the district.

A few Dalit organisations have been showing interest to felicitate Dr Parameshwar on their own. But they too have remained divided as some wish to organize an event to honour him and others are against it. Dr Parameshwar lost the last assembly elections from Koratagere constituency in the district, which analysts feel dashed his hopes of becoming the chief minister although his party won a majority.

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