Digvijaya to assess Cong prospects ahead of D-Day

All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Digvijay Singh, is scheduled to chair the Karnataka Pradesh Congress coordination committee meeting on Wednesday to assess the party’s prospects in the parliamentary elections in the State.

Singh arrived here on Tuesday. The timing of the meet, just a couple of days before the counting process, has led to speculation in political circles. However, party sources said the Congress high command was keen on gauging the mood within the party before the results are announced.

The central leadership also wants feedback from the panel members on the likely outcome of the polls.

A similar assessment will be done after the results are announced.

The intention is to fix responsibility on the State leaders on the party’s performance, sources said.

Singh will also gather information on the manner in which campaigning was conducted in the 28 parliamentary constituencies, with the focus on problems faced by the leaders at the local level. The assessment reports are believed to be helpful in strengthening the party in the coming days, sources added.

The meeting assumes significance in view of the exit polls predicting a poor show by the ruling UPA at the Centre. A majority of the exit polls have predicted that the Congress would get lesser seats than the BJP.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, KPCC president G Parameshwara, AICC secretary in-charge of Karnataka Chellakumar, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and Home Minister K J George are the other members.

The committee will also examine reports sent by the district presidents on the party’s campaign.

Reports from the districts dwell mainly on anti-party activities and non-cooperation by leaders during campaigning. The panel will discuss and decide the action to be taken based on the reports, party sources said. Besides, the panel is likely to discuss, among others, the upcoming elections to the Legislative Council and nomination to various boards and corporations.

Elections to fill vacancies in the Council are likely to be held in June. As many as 16 seats will become vacant by June-end. Of them, five will be filled through nominations, seven will be elected by the MLAs, and two each from the graduate and teachers’ constituencies.

Hectic lobbying is already on in the party. Parameshwara is among the long list of aspirants hoping to secure a berth in the Council. The coordination committee is likely to shortlist the probable candidates in the meeting.