It goes without saying that the arch-rivals in Hassan - the JD(S) and the Congress share a chequered history. While the Congress leadership is chanting coalition and unity mantra, a section of the party is in no mood to campaign for Prajwal Revanna, JD(S) candidate from Hassan and son of District Minister H D Revanna.
The Congress workers are making their displeasure known during the party meetings in the district. During a joint meeting in Arasikere on Friday, H D Revanna, MLA Shivalingegowda and Congress leaders faced the ire of Congress workers. The agitating workers shouted slogans against JD(S) leaders and said they would not support Prajwal Revanna.
A similar incident was witnessed during the Congress party workers meeting at Belur on Saturday. A section of party workers went berserk when the leaders asked them to work for Prajwal’s victory.
The agitating workers expressed their anguish by damaging furniture even as KPCC vice president B Shivaram, party observer Gayathri Shantegowda, DCC president Javagal Manjunath, CM’s Parliamentary Secretary M Y Gopalswamy among others remained silent spectators.
The Congress workers charged that the ‘Mytri’ (coalition) between the Congress and the JD(S) is unethical. “The JD(S) leaders have been harassing the Congress workers, but no party leader is bothered to safeguard the interests of the workers. We will opt None of the Above (NOTA) option, but, will never vote for Prajwal,” the agitators said.
The JD(S) leaders neglected the Congress workers and have awarded contracts to their party workers. No Congress leader is nominated to Boards and Corporations. Now, how can they (JD-S) ask the Congress workers’ support? they charged.
“Has the Congress high command asked the party workers’ opinion before giving its nod for Prajwal’s candidature? Congress party is not your own property,” said M J Nishanth, a Congress worker.
The Congress workers challenged the leaders to expel them from the party. The meeting ended with the intervention of the police.
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