Vokkaliga leaders of Cong hold meeting

A section of Congress Vokkaliga leaders, including legislators and ministers, held a dinner meeting on Tuesday night, seeking representation for their community in the forthcoming polls to the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha.

The dinner was hosted by Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, who is eyeing the KPCC president’s post, but at the same time wants to continue in the Cabinet. The meeting, attended by ministers T B Jayachandra, M H Ambareesh, MP D K Suresh and a host of legislators, demanded that at least three seats in the Council polls be given to Vokkaligas.

They recommended the names of former minister Gadsi Shivaram, former MLA C M Lingappa and long-time Congress functionary T V Maruthi, sources said. The meeting also favoured that Shivakumar take over as KPCC chief, the sources added.