Bengaluru: Some may shrug it off saying any two politicians cannot be judged by the same scale but two former ministers-R Roshan Baig and R Ramalinga Reddy-who made disparaging remarks against Congress general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, K.C. Venugopal and top leaders of the state unit for the dismal performance in Lok Sabha polls are going to be dealt with in a contrasting manner: A report will be sent to central leaders about one, while the other will make it to the cabinet sooner or later!
KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao, one of the leaders slammed for the debacle, told the media on Friday that he would report to New Delhi about Mr Baig calling Mr Venugopal a "buffoon" and Mr Rao's "immaturity" resulting in the "flop show", while maintaining that Mr Reddy would be inducted into the ministry along with other senior leaders. "Mr Roshan Baig has made many public statements that have violated the party's discipline. He has also made several allegations against our AICC general secretary (Mr Venugopal). I am bringing all these things to the notice of Delhi. He (Mr Baig) has humiliated the party publicly. He has made allegations that ministers' posts were sold in return for money. These are serious allegations. I am sending this information to Delhi. He is an AICC member, so Delhi has to decide on further action," he said while justifying his tough stand against Mr Baig.
The KPCC chief also made it clear that senior leaders like Mr Reddy will not be ignored during the next cabinet reshuffle. "The party belongs to everyone. We have already clearly said that whenever a cabinet reshuffle happens several people will get an opportunity (to become minister), not only Mr Reddy, also several others, including Amaregouda Bayyapur and V. Muniyappa who are aspirants," he said adding that top leaders were yet to decide whether one vacant slot in the ministry would be filled or a reshuffle effected, at this juncture.
Many party leaders, however, are shocked that the KPCC chief has decided to send a report on Mr Baig to Delhi while no action has been initiated against many others-former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, N Cheluvarayaswamy, P.M. Narendra Swamy and former legislator K.N. Rajanna who have defied state unit leaders or resorted to anti-party activities.
Given the wafer-thin majority of the coalition in the Assembly, central leaders are unlikely to act against legislators, fearing it would wreck the stability of the 13 month-old government, the leaders added.
