Bengaluru: On day one of the Congress Chinthan Manthan conclave, it was discontent among Belagavi district leaders which came to the fore on Monday. On day 2 on Tuesday, it was the turn of Ballari district leaders to virtually explode in front of AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, K C. Venugopal.
Venugopal however sent out a message loud and clear to the warring MLAs and leaders not to cross the line while making allegations or announcing seats for their supporters without consulting the KPCC and AICC.
He also warned leaders to maintain healthy relations with the rival camp (read BJP) but not at the cost of Congress prospects.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader observed that Venugopal sent out a signal that propping up only supporters is a thing of the past.
“Winnability will be the criteria for the party while deciding poll tickets, not the affiliation to a leader. A leader is one who works hard to shape other leaders who will in turn benefit the party, not the one who merely increases his/her followers,” the source said quoting Venugopal.
The source added that when Ballari district leaders met him, it became evident that the district unit is divided into the supporters of the Lad brothers (MP Anil Lad and Labour welfare minister Santhosh Lad), former minister Diwakar Babu and K. C. Kondaiah, who are all vying for each others’ blood.
The source added that Venogopal’s first question to warring camps was on the plans they had to counter the resurgence of the all powerful mining barons, the Reddy brothers in Ballari district politics.
“I know some of our party leaders are friends with the rival camp, there is no harm in maintaining a good relationship with rivals but it may cost the party dear,” the source said quoting Venugopal. His statement has sent shivers down the spine of some Congress leaders who had been quietly helping the Reddy resurgence, said sources.
BJP concern for Dalits a sham: Kharge
Senior Congress leader M. Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday described the sudden concern for Dalits being shown by BJP leaders as both superficial and opportunistic. ''As the election approaches it has become common for politicians to visit houses of Dalits and claim to have eaten in their houses. In reality they carry their food and install airconditioners in the houses for their visit. And after they leave, the A/Cs are taken back. And another leader says that they are living with South Indians although they are black. Despite living in the same county people are being discriminated against on the basis of their colour. How can people who talk this way be nationalists and represent the entire country?'' he demanded, addressing a state level seminar on Social Justice and Dr B R Ambedkar held by the state Social Welfare Department here Contending that the people of the country were getting disillusioned with the present style of governance and were looking for a more inclusive administration, he sa
id everyone should be taken along in nation building.
Inaugurating the seminar, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said reservations had to continue till the caste system remained alive in the country. ''Some try to mislead people saying that Dr Ambedkar wanted reservations only for ten years. But as long as the caste system remains remains alive, reservation is inevitable,'' he added.
