CM asks Congmen: Can't you be aggressive like Shobha, Hegde

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave Congress workers a dressing down on Wednesday for being "too soft" when compared to the BJP leaders such as Anantkumar Hegde, Shobha Karandlaje and Pratap Simha.

"We are not countering them (BJP leaders). They are effectively pushing the Hindutva agenda on social media. Why are you silent? How many of you have spoken out in the districts? What, are you scared?" Siddaramaiah's remarks came at the first meeting of the Congress' campaign committee. He pointed out that the BJP was mounting attack after attack on the government. "Why don't you talk about what Modi has done," Siddaramaiah is learnt to have demanded. The meeting was attended by all top Congress leaders from the state, except senior MPs Mallikarjun Kharge and M Veerappa Moily in view of the budget session of Parliament.

"Campaign committees have been formed in every booth. They will be told how to tackle the BJP's agenda, promote achievements of government and highlight failures of the Modi government," campaign committee chairman D K Shivakumar told reporters.

The maiden meeting of the party's campaign committee had AICC social media head and former Sandalwood star Ramya, actors Malashri, Jayamala, Bhavana, Abhinaya and Sadhu Kokila as participants. They joined the Congress leaders to blow a bugle to kickstart the meeting. According to sources, Ramya was miffed that she was reserved a seat along with other film stars. Instead, she sat in one of the back rows. Her name had to be called out a couple of times, inviting her on the dais to blow the bugle.