GP polls throw a spanner in Congress celebration plans

The elections to gram panchayats may pose a hurdle for the ruling Congress to celebrate two years of its rule in the State.

The meeting of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, chaired by G Parameshwara on Tuesday failed to finalise venue and dates as it was not sure whether or not the State Election Commission (SEC) would allow the celebrations.

“Though gram panchayat elections are not fought on party symbols, the code of conduct may not allow us to celebrate and publicise the government programmes,” Parameshwara said. The party has therefore decided to finalise the dates for celebration after getting clearance from the SEC.

The party wants to organise a State-level convention as part of the celebrations.  Some office-bearers suggested to organise four conventions in each of the revenue divisions of the State.

Educate voters
Besides, the meeting resolved to strive to ensure victory of the party-supported candidates in the gram panchayat polls. Parameshwara directed the members to educate the voters about loopholes in the controversial land acquisition ordinance of the Centre and popular programmes such as Anna Bhagya being implemented by the State government.

Asked about the Supreme Court direction to hold BBMP elections in three months, the KPCC president said the party was ready to face the polls any moment.
Parameshwara said that it was childish on the part of Suresh Kumar's (BJP) to say that the Congress office was located on a lakebed. “He was urban development minister in the past. He could have taken action,” he added.