BELLARY: Congress leaders who spoke at the district-level party workers' convention here on Tuesday, underlined the need for the district Congress leaders to remain united.

M. Veerappa Moily, Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Committee and former Chief Minister, chose to mount an attack on former Prime Minister Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda.

Mr. Moily alleged that Mr. Deve Gowda has been violating the principles of coalition and is giving pinpricks to the Congress in the State.

The attack came in the presence of KPCC President M. Mallikarjun Kharge and Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh.

"The zilla and taluk panchayat elections are very important. If you (Congress leaders and workers) strive hard, it will put an end to Mr. Deve Gowda dictating terms to the Government," Mr. Moily said and added that it is the responsibility of all party workers to strengthen the hands of Mr. Dharam Singh to continue as Chief Minister in the coalition Government.

Development

Commending AICC President Sonia Gandhi for refurbishing the image of the party and improving the economy of the country under the UPA Government, Mr. Moily said it is the Congress which is keen on development and has taken steps to utilise natural resources in Bellary district by encouraging steel manufacturing units.

"We have to resolve differences among ourselves and strengthen the hands of Ms. Sonia Gandhi at the Centre and Mr. Dharam Singh in the State," he said.

Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge was of the view that had the district leaders remained united, the party would not have lost the elections in Bellary district, which is considered the citadel of the Congress. "For various reasons we lost (the elections). It may be owing to the use of money power and difference of opinion among leaders. Even now, the Congress is strong and can regain lost ground. If the party leaders come together, the Congress will never lose in Bellary," he said.

`Introspect'

Law Minister H.K. Patil called upon party leaders and workers to introspect as to why the Congress faired badly in Bellary, which is considered a stronghold of the party.

D.K. Shivakumar, former Minister, asked people to pardon the party leaders and extend support to the party in all elections.

Union Minister of State for Planning M.V. Rajashekaran; Cooperation Minister R.V. Deshpande; N.Y. Hanumanthappa and Tejaswini Sriramesh, MPs; former Minister H.M. Revanna; I.G. Sanadi, former MP; Umashri, actress and MLC; and Dinesh Gundurao, MLA; spoke.

Virupakshappa, Koppal MP; Primary and Higher Education Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy; Women and Children Welfare Minister Bhagirathi Marulasidanagowda; M. Diwakar Babu, former Minister; K.C. Kondaiah and K.S.L. Swamy, MLAs; and Shiraj Sheikh, former MLA; were present.

Allum Veerbhadrappa, convener of the meeting and former Minister, welcomed the gathering. Kolur Basavanagowda, former MP, proposed a vote of thanks.

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