Bengaluru: In an oblique reference to dissidence within the party over ticket distribution earlier this week, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dr G. Parameshwar on Wednesday stressed that the party would overcome these initial hiccups as it has initiated an elaborate plan to assuage the feelings of disgruntled leaders.
Speaking to reporters at a plush resort, where he distributed B forms to party candidates, Dr Parameshwar said, "Although there is no large scale disenchantment, the party is making all out efforts to assuage the feelings of those denied tickets."
According to him there are eight to 10 constituencies, where the party is witnessing "turbulence of sorts" but it was no threat to Congress prospects. "The party has taken a series of steps, CM, Siddaramaiah, AICC general secretary, K.C. Venugopal, myself and four AICC secretaries who are in-charge of revenue divisions, are trying our best to dissuade these leaders. As of now, the situation is firmly under control," he snapped in response to a question. While speaking to this newspaper a party senior leader disclosed that AICC leaders have already spoken to more than 90 leaders in the state including some disgruntled leaders over phone to seek their support to ensure the party's victory. "All these 90 leaders are district level leaders. The party for the first time is reaching out to them only with the intention to deliver a victory for Congress president, Rahul Gandhi. As a result of this, outgoing Mayakonda MLA, Shivamurthy Naik who was threatening to contest as an independent has flown to New Delhi this evening and is likely to meet party leaders in New Delhi. Similarly, efforts are on to persuade Pulakeshinagar Congress leader, B. Prasanna Kumar to stay on in the party,” the source explained.
JD(S) B-FORMS GET BLESSINGS AT TIRUMALA, SRIRANGAM
Though the JD(S) was the first party to announce its list of 126 candidates for the May 12 Assembly polls, none of them have received their B-forms needed to file the nominations so far. Reason: The B-forms will be distributed only on Thursday after they are subjected to special rituals in famous temples in South India!
The patriarch of the JD(S), Mr H.D. Deve Gowda's elder son, Mr H.D. Revanna organised special rituals in the famed Tirumala temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh and also at Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. All the B-forms were taken to both temples and placed before the deity during the rituals, said sources.
Though JD(S) State President and former Chief Minister Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy is not very religious, it is no secret that his father Mr Deve Gowda and brother Mr Revanna are highly religious. For anything that matters, the duo look for an auspicious time and have often been spotted in temples across the state.
