Dinesh, Khandre take charge, sound Lok Sabha poll bugle

The Congress will not tolerate leaders throwing tantrums and causing damage to the party.

This was newly-appointed Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao’s stern warning to party legislators soon after he took charge on Wednesday. Dinesh’s warning came at a time when legislators are mounting pressure on the party to fill up six vacant Cabinet berths and appoint heads to statutory boards and corporations.

“There are many fighting to become ministers and heads of boards/corporations. Those who deserve will get it. Those who don’t will not be tolerated indulging in activities that are against the party’s interests,” Dinesh said after his coronation as party president.

Dinesh vowed to recognise party workers who are hardworking. “I’ll try my best to give them responsibilities. But there are also those who hang around leaders and serve only them and not the party.”

With Dinesh’s coronation, the Congress sounded the bugle for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Party leaders K H Muniyappa, B K Hariprasad, M B Patil, H K Patil and Satish Jarkiholi, who were in the race to become KPCC presidents, attended the event.

The event also saw Congress leaders reflecting on why the party lost in the Assembly elections. “We failed to counter the BJP’s propaganda and Hindutva campaign. For every 30 voters, the BJP had one worker to reach out every day. If we had honestly tried to counter this, we’d have had a better result,” former chief minister Siddaramaiah said. “At least for the 2019 Lok Sabha election, we should effectively counter and condemn the BJP’s campaign.”

AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal said Dinesh and Khandre had their tasks cut out. “The Congress’ main target is to regain the trust of youngsters, who form 40% of the electorate. I think Dinesh can do this. Khandre can help bring north Karnataka into the Congress’ fold,” he said.

Khandre said he would work toward preparing for the Lok Sabha elections “depending on the number of seats the party decides to fight.” Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha seats and the Congress is in talks with alliance partner JD(S) on fighting the polls together.

Siddaramaiah, Venugopal and Khandre cautioned party workers that the Lok Sabha polls may be advanced and asked them to be on their toes. “There are chances that the election may be held in November-December 2018 and not April-May 2019 as scheduled,” Siddaramaiah said.