Let Rahul Gandhi decide on second seat, we will pick one, says Dinesh Gundurao

Bengaluru: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dinesh Gundurao on Sunday maintained that the Congress would identify and finalise a seat for Congress president, Rahul Gandhi once he decides on contesting from a second seat.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Deputy Chief Minister, Dr G. Parameshwar who is apparently miffed with party state leaders for ceding the Tumakuru Lok Sabha seat to the Janata Dal (Secular), Mr Rao said, “We will finalise the seat once Mr Gandhi decides to contest from a second seat (other than Amethi). All of us (state leaders) have requested him (Mr Gandhi) to contest from Karnataka as the state Congress shares a unique relationship with the family. If Mr Gandhi wishes, it will be a matter of pride for us to offer a seat to him,” he explained.

He added that Mr Gandhi will be arriving in the state on Monday and it will be decided then whether he should contest from North-Karnataka or South-Karnataka if at all he decides to contest from the state too.

Playing down reports that Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar was upset with state leaders, Mr Rao asserted that Dr Parameshwar was a pan-Karnataka leader and the party does not treat him as a mere Tumakuru leader.

“No doubt he represents Tumakuru, but leaders like Dr Parameshwar or former chief minister, Siddaramaiah cannot be restricted to their home districts. They are all pan-Karnataka leaders. Hence, the party also treats these leaders in that manner,” he said.

He however admitted that state leaders were upset with the central leadership's decision to give up the Tumakuru seat to JD(S). "We are making efforts to get back that seat," he added.