The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Kharge unlikely to be disturbed at present

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 21, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Kharge unlikely to be disturbed at present

T.S. Ranganna

M. Mallikarjun Kharge

Bangalore: The heat generated following the two-day stock-taking exercise Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office and Congress leader in charge of Karnataka Prithviraj Chavan had with leaders and workers on the preparedness of the party for the Assembly has not dissipated.

In fact, Mr. Chavan’s reaction to questions whether there would be any change in the State unit leadership led to speculation among the rank and file that the high command was planning some adjustments in the unit, though not outright replacement of the incumbent president.

‘Difficult’

Several party leaders, who did not wish to be identified, confided to The Hindu that it was difficult to remove KPCC president M. Mallikarjun Kharge when elections were round the corner.

The perceived change in the mood of Dalits in many pockets, who may change the fortunes of the party if the Bahujan Samaj Party takes a big chunk of their votes, perhaps prompted the Congress leadership to decide not to disturb Mr. Kharge.

The sources said there was a likelihood of forming a collective leadership by drafting influential persons such as Siddaramaiah to head the campaign committee and leaders such as the former KPCC chief B. Janardhana Poojary and the former Minister G. Parameshwar to assist Mr. Kharge.

The sources claimed that the high command had taken into consideration the views expressed by leaders such as Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways K.H. Muniyappa and the former Minister D.K. Shivakumar that the elections could be not won without inducting young and dynamic leaders who could inspire the workers and voters.

Lingayat vote

In north Karnataka, where the Lingayats are dominant, the sources said that only some powerful Lingayat leaders could influence the voters in the community, particularly when their math heads had almost declared open support to the Bharatiya Janata Party after the collapse of the B.S. Yeddyurappa government.

They argued with Mr. Chavan whether Mr. Kharge could lead the party to victory when he could not do so in the recent urban local body elections.

A few of the general secretaries in the State unit have been talking of the need for a leadership change and are hopeful that it will come about.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka