Congmen want 'original' coordination panel

The Congress high command is yet to take forward its decision to form a co-ordination committee for strengthening working relationship between the party and the government in the State.

However, even before the formation of the panel, there has been opposition against including C M Ibrahim and H C Mahadevappa - the close associates of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah - in the committee. The seniors in the party want it to be a total ‘original Congress’ panel.

The names of at least 14 leaders including Siddaramaiah, KPCC president G Parameshwara, Digvijay Singh, B K Hariparasad, Rehman Khan, Mallikarjun Kharge, K H Muniyappa, C M Ibrahim, Mahadevappa, Oscar Fernandes, Veerappa Moily, M V Rajashekaran, V Muniyappa and Hanumanthaiah are doing the rounds for the committee.

 Sources in the party said, to avoid confrontation between the supporters of Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara, the number of members on the panel would be restricted to six.

The chief minister will be the chairperson, while Parameshwara, Digvijay Singh and a couple of ministers besides a senior most Congressman will be nominated to the panel.

The chief minister will have a say in nominating the ministers.