Vishwanath keeps his fingers crossed on quitting Cong

The manner in which former MP A H Vishwanath has been prolonging his exit from the Congress maintaining suspense about his next move, bears a striking resemblance to the fashion in which former minister V Srinivas Prasad quit Congress.

Even though the writing on the wall is clear that Vishwanath is all set to join the JD(S), he seems to be in no hurry to make it public and has chosen to instead follow in the footsteps of Prasad.

Vishwanath had announced in his hometown KR Nagar on June 6 that he would resign from the Congress. He had also announced that he would take a decision on his future course of action during the month of Ramzan. Meanwhile, JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy has gone ahead stating that Vishwanath would join his party immediately after Ramzan.

A staunch Congressman

Unlike Prasad, Vishwanath has been a staunch Congressman throughout his political career spanning over four decades. He was MLA, MP and minister under the Congress and only since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he is out of power.

Speaking at a meeting organised by his supporters in Mysuru on Tuesday, Vishwanath said that he was not complaining about the Congress as a party but only about those managing the party. “There is no Nehru Congress, Indira Congress, Rajiv Congress, Sonia Congress or Rahul Congress in Karnataka. It is only Siddaramaiah Congress. The apathy of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G Parameshwar is the main reason for me to decide to quit the party. I am doing this with a heavy heart. I have toured many places in the state to consult my supporters and well-wishers. Many party leaders and workers are unhappy with the neglect and arrogance of Siddaramaiah,” he said.

Recalling why Siddaramaiah started sidelining him in the party, Vishwanath said, “Some two-and-a-half years ago, in a couple of interviews to some satellite channels, I admitted that the chief minister’s son and PWD minister H C Mahadevappa’s son were behind the sand mafia causing a lot of hardship to the people and also to poor people who were dependent on the construction sector. Since then, I have not got a platform in the party to express my opinion. Under the dictatorship of Siddaramaiah, meetings of the party have also become scarce. Now, party workers, who are attending meetings with me, are being issued show-cause notices. Siddaramaiah should be watchful as a day will soon come when people will issue a show-cause notice to him,” he said.

Vishwanath said Congress is like his mother and it will remain his mother till his last breath.Reacting to the invitation of former mayor B L Bhyrappa, a JD(S) leader, Vishwanath said that he has not yet decided on joining any party. However, Congress district general secretary Revanna, who delivered the introductory speech, hinted at Vishwanath joining the Congress. He said, “People are disappointed with both the national parties and have realised the need to strengthen a regional party.”

Former MLAs H D Basa- varaju of Virajpet and H C Basavarju of Periyapatna, ex-corporators Somasunder and Syed Akram, ex-president of Chamundeshwari block Congress Arkesh, ex-president of Chamaraja block Congress Rajendra, retired DCP Suresh and retired ACP Krishnappa were also present.