Bengaluru: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi reportedly directed leaders of the state unit to kick off their election campaign in advance in order to retain power in elections to the Legislative Assembly in 2018.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader said during a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, Mr Gandhi told Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar and working president Dinesh Gundu Rao to start the election process, including candidates’ selection, early. “Mr Gandhi was categorical about clearing the candidates' list as soon he receives it,” the leader added.
The leader said Mr Gandhi, however, suggested that party leaders should respect the sentiments of workers in each constituency before finalising the names as well as arrive at a consensus while selecting the candidates.
Evidently happy with the outcome of two byelections, Mr Gandhi gave Chief Minister Siddaramaiah the green signal to go ahead with expansion of the cabinet and nomination of three MLC. “It looks like Mr Siddaramaiah has got the clearance in the appointment of the MLCs as his choice of candidates will be able to make it to the list in both the cabinet as well as the Legislative Council though the names are not cleared officially,” the leader added.
The leader said Mr Gandhi's instructions on early selection of candidates for 2018 meant that the axe might not fall on KPCC president Dr Parameshwar. “It looks like Dr Parmeshwar will get an extension of at least a of couple of months,” the leader added.
Meanwhile, Mr Siddaramaiah told the media after meeting top leaders in Delhi that his party would continue to gain the support of voters by playing the performance card rather than counter the attack of Opposition parties.
In response to a question, Mr Siddaramaiah said senior central leaders would decide on the issue of change of guard in the state unit of the party.
