Bengaluru: Pulling up party leaders in Bengaluru, AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal on Friday reportedly asked them to make way for others if they were not interested in winning elections.
A party functionary told this newspaper on the condition of anonymity that Mr Venugopal is cut-up with party leaders from Bengaluru including some MLAs who have not done what was asked of them and did not show much enthusiasm in his programmes like formation of booth level committees and the Mane-Manege Congress programme. “However, these two programmes were quite successful across the state other than Bengaluru city. He had expressed his dissatisfaction over the lackadaisical attitude of the Bengaluru unit on two or three occasions but it was never so direct as on Friday,” he said.
KPCC working president, Dinesh Gundurao, tried to make amends maintaining that the city unit would be launching ‘Namma Bengaluru Namma Hemme’ programme which is nothing but a renewed version of Mane-Manege Congress programme.
Mr Venugopal also took a jibe at party office bearers who have “a lazy approach” when it comes to visiting their constituencies. “I cannot stand by lazy people, especially during election time. If you cannot cope with our style, make way for others,” was his stern message. “I am keeping an eye on each office bearer and know how each individual is working. We are left with just 40 days to make amends and start working seriously. I want everyone to work with zeal and with the single minded mission of winning the state for the Congress party and not for anyone's sake,” he said.
The general secretary also revealed that the party has still not caught up with the BJP when it comes to reaching out to people at the grassroots. “We are very weak at the booth level. The moment BJP leaders like PM Modi or Amit Shah tell lies about our state, grassroot workers must be updated immediately through various messaging means. This needs to be countered at the booth level instead of waiting for the leaders to take steps,” he said while reportedly issued directions to party leaders.
