The Hindu : High Command ignored my rivals: Poojary

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

High Command ignored my rivals: Poojary

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, JAN. 24. The President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), B. Janardhana Poojary, today said the party High Command had refused to entertain complaints against him made by certain office-bearers of the party organisation and others.

Speaking to presspersons here, he said that, with the consent of the party High Command, he was proceeding against some of the party leaders who had been indulging in indiscipline.

Mr. Poojary repeated that the party leaders who had complained against him to the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, had every right to do so and they had committed no wrong. He said that the High Command had not even given an interview to those who wanted to complain against him. Asked if he would initiate disciplinary action against those who were campaigning against him, Mr. Poojary said that he would call for reports.

Mr. Poojary said that at the time when he became the KPCC President, some in the party had entertained the hope that he would soon fall out with the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna. They had expected daily statements and counter statements from the two and the party to be divided into two hostile camps. They were now sorely disappointed that he had maintained cordial relations with the Chief Minister.

To another question, Mr. Poojary asserted that he had not taken "even a glass of water" from anyone for distributing the party ticket for elections.

About the reported statement of the Cooperation Minister, H. Vishwanath, (an aspirant for the PCC presidentship) laying claim to the post as he was younger, Mr. Poojary hit back saying even 17-year-olds could not keep pace with him.

Many who were younger than he were not physically fit as they led undisciplined lives, he said.

About the fund collection drive launched by him earlier in the day, Mr. Poojary said the Congress wanted to collect funds from the common people.

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