BENGALURU: Efforts by senior leaders of Congress to portray a picture of unity evidently went awry with supporters of Byrathi Suresh, MLC, shouting slogans against fellow Kuruba leader and former minister H.M. Revanna, MLC, triggering a spat between the two members of upper House in Hebbal Assembly constituency on Monday.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader from the Congress party observed that Mr Suresh now enjoys considerable following owing to his proximity to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and as most of the leaders in Hebbal are involved deeply into the real-estate business.
“As a result of this, most of the leaders in Hebbal feel that Mr Suresh's proximity to Mr Siddaramaiah could have been exploited if he were to be the candidate. That is why, even after many leaders pursuing Mr Suresh to canvass in favour of Congress party, party workers are apparently still are in favour of Mr Suresh. Therefore, it might prove an uphill task for the Congress to ensure the victory of its candidate,” the leader explained.
Meanwhile, there was a showdown between Mr Revanna and Mr Suresh's supporters on Monday when both were campaigning in Hebbal constituency.
When Mr Revanna was about start his speech, a handful of supporters of Mr Suresh shouted slogans against him, a move which obviously irked the leader.
Enraged over Mr Suresh's supporters, Mr Revanna slammed Mr Suresh instead of continuing with his campaign speech.
Mr Revanna went a step further and even charged Mr Suresh was indulging anti-party activities, and hence should not be inducted into the party.
“Mr Suresh has been an outsider and will remain so, if he does not change his behaviour. He needs to refrain from using arm twisting tactics to prove that he is a leader. I have been part of many political battles, so, I can sense that easily,” the senior Congress leader said.
Krishna, Kharge to lead Congress campaign
Energy minister D. K. Shivakumar on Monday declared that the Congress party would rope in former external affairs minister, S. M. Krishna, and leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha M. Mallikarjun Kharge to drum up support for Congress candidate Rehaman Sharief in Hebbal.
He told the media "Mr Krishna and Mr Kharge will start campaigning once Chief Minister Siddaramaiah completes his campaign in Hebbal. Definitely, as part of our strategy, we will utilise the services of all our leaders as the polling day approaches,” he added.
