Bengaluru: The war of words between homegrown leaders of the Congress and loyalists of CM Siddaramaiah, worsened on Sunday with social welfare minister H. Anjaneya, a Siddu loyalist, lashing out at Congress veteran B. Janardhan Poojary and AICC General Secretary B.K. Hariprasad warning the minister against making comments on senior leaders like Mr Poojary.
Undeterred by Mr Anjaneya's comments, Mr Poojary slammed Mr Siddaramaiah saying he had only suggested that the CM maintain the legacy of the Congress, which stood for clean and transparent governance. As soon as Mr Anjaneya made his remarks, he was heckled by the gathering which asked him not to speak against Mr Poojary.
The incident took place on Sunday, when the leaders had gathered to inaugurate Billava Samudaya Bhavana in Hulimavu in the city. Taking a direct swipe at Mr Poojary, Mr Anjaneya remarked, "Even though it was Mr Poojary who was instrumental in shaping me as a politician, I would say that he has been losing elections due to his big mouth.
You (Mr Poojary) should have sensed this but you do not want to change. Of late, you have been doing the same in the case of Mr Siddaramaiah. Even though, he is giving clean governance, you are hell bent on criticising him, this is not good for your stature." His remarks did not go well with Congress veterans like Mr Hariprasad and Mr Poojary himself. Mr Hariprasad slammed Mr Anjaneya for making "harsh remarks" against Mr Poojary, who is widely respected by party leaders for his loyalty and clean image.
"Just because you (Mr Anjaneya) have become a minister, it does not give you the power to criticise your seniors. First learn to respect your seniors. Mr Poojary may have lost elections, but he has not lost the respect of voters or leaders in the state and New Delhi," Mr Hariprasad snapped back.
When his turn came, Mr Poojary came down heavily on CM saying what irked him was the setting up of the ACB . "I cannot tolerate anyone causing such harm to the Congress image. As a loyal Congress leader, I have all the right to defend or criticise my party's chief minister. When Mr Siddaramaiah announced schemes like Anna Bhagya, I was the one who welcomed it and I will be the first person to take on him if anyone ever tries to cause harm to our party," he said.
I lack collection skill, says Mr. Poojary
Taking an indirect swipe at CM Siddaramaiah, Mr. Poojary said he had the opportunity of becoming CM four times but he did not accept the post simply because he had not acquired the skill of "collection". He said, "To become CM, one needs a different skill set and most importantly, whoever becomes CM, should do good collection."
Taking an indirect swipe at CM Siddaramaiah, Mr. Poojary said he had the opportunity of becoming CM four times but he did not accept the post simply because he had not acquired the skill of "collection". He said, "To become CM, one needs a different skill set and most importantly, whoever becomes CM, should do good collection."
