BENGALURU: Congress leaders, who were dropped from the ministry on Sunday, will knock on the doors of central leaders in New Delhi to seek a change of leadership.
Unsuccessful aspirants among legislators and former ministers who have a common grouse against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have decided to sign on more like-minded legislators before heading to New Delhi.
Sources close to one former minister said V. Srinivas Prasad, a dalit leader from Mysuru, M H Ambareesh, a Vokkaliga leader and actor and Qamrul Islam, a Muslim leader from Kalaburagi, reportedly decided on the visit to Delhi. This group would approach all disgruntled MLAs to join them. “Once we get our MLAs together, we will go to New Delhi," sources added.
The day began with legislators and former ministers meeting at Mr Srinivas Prasad’s residence. Besides Mr Prasad, Mr Islam, former minister, Dr A.B. Maalak Reddy, Yeshwanthpur MLA, S.T. Somashekhar and others attended the meeting. They discussed the fall out of the recent cabinet reshuffle.
Emerging out of the meeting, Mr Prasad said, “The recent cabinet reshuffle was effected without proper consultation. For us, the party is paramount than the individual. The Chief Minister’s move will certainly weaken the party,” he added.
Asked whether they would hold talks with the Chief Minister, they replied in negative. Later, all of them went to Mr Ambareesh’s residence, met the actor-politician and later said they would not like to meet Mr Siddaramaiah.
“We do not want to repeatedly talk about leadership change. You have to understand for yourself,” he said. Asked whether they discussed and decided to resign, Mr Prasad replied in the negative. “We discussed several options. You wait and watch,” he added.
Later in the evening, senior Congress leader, Oscar Fernandes, met Mr Prasad at the latter’s residence. Mr Fernandes later told reporters that he came as a party leader. He clarified that he was not deputed by central leadership.
“I heard them. I am confident of resolving the crisis,” he added.
Meanwhile, veteran Congressman, C.K. Jaffer Sharief, attacked Mr Siddaramaiah and said "A man who came to party to enjoy power will not remain here if the party loses elections." He too met Mr Ambareesh at the latter’s house.
