Karnataka: Congress MLA bats for CM' Dr G Parameshwar

Bengaluru: Much to the embarrassment of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,  Congress MLA, S.T. Somashekar , a die-hard supporter of KPCC president and Home Minister, Dr. G.Parameshwar, declared on Thursday that “his leader” would be the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate in the 2018 assembly polls.

Addressing an All India Co-operation conference here, Mr. Somashekar, who represents the Yeshwanthpur constituency, said  Dr. Parameshwar would also lead the party's campaign for the elections when the  practice has always been for the incumbent Chief Minister to do so in the  Congress.

“The Congress will come to power in the 2018 elections and KPCC president, Parameshwar will become the Chief Minister,” the MLA declared.

Dr. Parameshwar, who was among the dignitaries present on the occasion, however, made light of his remark, saying in his speech,  “I cannot say who will be the Chief Minister in 2018, but I am sure that Mr. Somashekar will be the Minister of Co-operation for his service to the co-operative movement.”

The KPCC chief later hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for demonetising the  higher currency notes without adequate preparation. “The Prime Minister has imposed financial emergency on the nation by demonetising the Rs 1000 and Rs 500 currency notes,” he contended, adding, “People are having a hard time leading their daily lives, but Mr Modi claims  no one is affected. He needs to step out on the streets to see the situation for himself.”