The setback to the Congress in the Council polls has given rise to fresh concern among the party’s top brass.
According to senior Congress leaders, the high command had taken the defeat in all the four (two teachers’ and two graduates’) constituencies seriously.
The party has suffered defeat in a series of elections held since the Congress government came to power three years ago in the state.
Free hand unlikely
With Chief Minister Siddaramaiah preparing the ground for a major reshuffle of his cabinet, the Congress party top brass is unlikely to give him a free hand to pick his new team, given the election debacle.
The party leaders may confront Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G Parameshwara when they visit Delhi this weekend to seek permission for the reshuffle.
The high command is likely to consult a wide range of leaders in the state before finalising the new team, sources said.
Senior leaders like Industries Minister R V Deshpande, Agriculture Minister Krishna Byregowda, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar and IT Minister S R Patil met the party top brass, including party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, former defence minister A K Antony and party president Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel to lobby for their continuation as ministers.
A large number of legislators from the state are also camping in Delhi, seeking ministerial berths.
