New Delhi: After meeting senior leaders of the Congress from Karnataka, the Congress high command is inclined to continue with the current state unit chief G Parameshwar.
Before the meeting, the frontrunners included current energy minister D.K. Shivakumar and former minister S.R. Patil.
Insiders say that Shivakumar would have been the preferred choice as he is close to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi but for the opposition from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Mr Gandhi met all senior leaders separately and then there was a common meeting to highlight the problems being faced by the Congress in the state.
The other front-runner, S.R. Patil who had the backing of the chief minister, was not acceptable to senior leaders of the state.
Their contention was that Patil does not enjoy a pan Karnataka appeal.
According to sources, the middle path, which the Congress high command is likely to adopt, is to let Dr Parameshwar continue as the state unit chief and appoint four working presidents in the state.
Currently, the state Congress has only one Working President, Dinesh Gundurao. These four new working presidents will balance caste, community and regional aspirations.
Shivakumar may be appointed as the chief of the campaign Committee. This arrangement, the high command feels, will quell internal rivalry in the state.
A senior MP who was part of the meeting with Mr Rahul Gandhi said “We had a free and frank discussion with the vice president. He also heard the viewpoint of senior leaders from the state. The announcement is expected in a day of two.”
He further added that all the leaders felt that the Congress has a chance of retaining power in the state if the interest of the party is put before the individual. Karnataka goes to polls in May next year.
The Congress this time has started preparing for them well in advance.
