Bengaluru: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has sent a strong message to dissident leaders in Karnataka while warning them of disciplinary action for their frequent outbursts against the party leadership.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the reconstituted party co-ordination committee at the KPCC office on Thursday, AICC general secretary and party in-charge for Karnataka, Digvijay Singh said some leaders have been issuing anti-party statements. The AICC has taken cognizance of such statements and after consulting party disciplinary committee chairman A.K. Antony, appropriate action will be taken against them.
“We will take action against leaders who openly give statements against the party leadership. Instead of airing their grievances in the party forum, they have been openly speaking against the leadership, the AICC will take action against such leaders,” Mr Singh said.
Veteran Congress leaders B. Janardhan Poojary, and H. Vishwanath, former MP, had voiced their anger against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on many occasions. Mr Vishwanath had on Wednesday said that Mr Siddaramaiah should quit rather than give water to TN. During the co-ordination committee meeting, Mr. Singh raised this issue and cautioned leaders not to give anti-party statements.
“We are aware of leaders giving such statements. I have asked the PCC chief to send their names to the party high command for further action”, he said replying to a question.
He said the much awaited appointments to boards and corporations would be done by September. “According to parameters set by the AICC Vice President, the party will appoint chairpersons to boards and corporations. The AICC has not sent any list for the post. The CM and PCC president will take a decision after consulting party senior leaders,” Mr Singh said. The party also discussed selection of probable candidates for 2018 Assembly elections.
The KPCC executive meet will be held at Dharwad on September 27. The party will take up a membership drive on January 30, 2017 and hold the birth centenary celebrations of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from November 19, 2016 to November 19, 2017.
