KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge has warned any groupism in the party would be dealt with sternly.
Reacting to the incident of senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah allegedly assaulting another senior leader M Mahadevu in Mysore on Sunday, Kharge felt there should be no discrimination among party leaders as “old Congressmen” and “newcomers”.
“Anybody who joins the party believing in the party’s principles will naturally become a Congressman and he should not be treated as outsider by earlier entrants,” he said.
Describing the Mysore incident as unfortunate, Kharge said the incident should not have taken place. “But afterwards, both leaders amicably ended their differences. As it is a closed chapter, there is no need to play up the incident,” he added.
However, Kharge cautioned party workers against settling their differences through muscle power. “The differences should be settled amicably within the party forum.”
Kharge said he had no authority to give a post to Siddaramaiah in the party. “The authority rests with the high command.”
He clarified that the rule that a newcomer to the party should not be given any post for three years would not apply to Siddaramaiah. “I hope that soon the high command will suitably accommodate him,” he said.
Siddaramaiah has asked KPCC chief to take measures to end the differences in the party. “There are no old Congressmen and new Congressmen in the party- all are one. If anyone harbours such feelings, the party president should try to remove such feelings,” he said.