Bengaluru: Congress leaders, who met in the city on Wednesday, ahead of the crucial co-ordination committee meeting of the state government, are believed to have expressed concern at party legislators being lured by the BJP under its Operation Lotus and the problems dogging the coalition.
Almost all the ministers present were reportedly upset at their department secretaries taking orders from PWD minister, H.D. Revanna of the JD(S). "Chief Minister, H.D.Kumaraswamy is not available for discussion. Funds are not released to our departments and transfers have continued even in December. If this goes on, it will be difficult to fight the Parliamentary elections," two senior ministers were quoted as saying.
KPCC chief, Dinesh Gundu Rao, reportedly said party workers from Mandya and Hassan were being targeted by the JD(S) and warned this could weaken the party base if not checked.
Besides Mr Rao, other senior leaders present at the meeting included AICC general secretary, K.C. Venugopal, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr G. Parameshwara, and former Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah.
The meeting is also said to have taken stock of Congress MLAs issuing conflicting statements on the cabinet expansion and their desire to become ministers. Most leaders felt disciplinary action should be taken against these MLAs for violating party discipline and going to the media with their problems, according to sources.
Mr Venugopal is said to have expressed serious displeasure at ministers failing to implement the Shakti programme and inform voters of Congress president, Rahul Gandhi's speeches. "He advised them to carry out the programme at the earliest in their districts," sources added.
