Keep an eye on MLAs deserting party: KC Venugopal
Mr Venugopal has given his advice to both leaders.
Bengaluru: After a series of meetings within the party, AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal has indicated that everything is not going right with the Congress. It is reliably learnt that Mr Venugopal directed both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar to keep tabs on those MLAs who are likely to quit the party ahead of the Assembly polls in 2018.
A senior leader told Deccan Chronicle, “Mr Venugopal seems to have developed his own intelligence within the party and some party leaders may have indicated to him that a few MLAs are contemplating joining rival parties, ahead of the polls. Based on his inputs, he has alerted both Mr Siddaramaiah and Dr Parameshwar.”
The source said that though there is no clear picture emerging, Mr Venugopal seems to have come to the conclusion that in the event of sitting legislators deserting the party at the last minute, the Congress should identify suitable candidates now itself.
“It is to avoid the last-minute rush to pick candidates. The idea of identifying alternate leadership is to counter BJP national president Amit Shah, who has successfully implemented his strategy in Uttar Pradesh and to some extent in Gujarat. Mr Shah is known to identify potential candidates and lure them to his side. To avoid embarrassment at the last minute, Mr Venugopal has given his advice to both leaders. He has also directed the two leaders to remain in constant touch with local leaders from each district to get early feedback on such moves by MLAs,” the source explained.