Bengaluru: Amidst hectic lobbying by several aspirants to wrest control of the Congress state unit ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls, KPCC president and home minister, Dr G. Parameshwar on Monday gave enough indications that he was not inclined to give up the post easily while asserting that the Congress top brass had directed him to play a major role in bringing the party back to power in 2018.
He however added that he would follow the party diktat if the central leadership was intent on replacing him. Speaking to reporters after returning from New Delhi, Dr Parameshwar said, "I agree that many are aspiring to become PCC president but the final decision rests with central leaders. As of now, my focus is on the 2018 Assembly polls."
He agreed that there were several names doing the rounds for the high profile post with several KPCC presidents going on to become CMs in the past. “Our central leaders may or may not consider them, it is their prerogative," he said.
He made it clear that he did not want to make the possible change of guard in the KPCC a matter of prestige. “As we have begun on a good note by winning both the byelection seats, let's keep the momentum going till 2018.”
“We have entered a volatile phase before the elections and instead of wasting time deliberating on who should head what - we should focus on strengthening the party collectively,” he rationalised.
In marked contrast, Vokkaliga strongman and Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, considered one of the strongest claimants for the post, told the media that he had never applied for any post in the party adding that he had made it a point to execute the tasks given to him without a second thought. “I am content with the fact that I have discharged my responsibilities with utmost sincerity. I will also not hesitate to state that I am ready to take up any challenge which the party assigns me,” he said. Observing that several leaders who approach him saying they were keen on him becoming KPCC president, may change their minds later, Mr Shivakumar said, “I need to be careful.”
