Priyank Kharge rebukes 'no Congress without Siddu' statement

Bengaluru: Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday rebuked senior lawmaker K N Rajanna for saying that Congress would cease to exist in Karnataka without Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Rajanna had said on Tuesday that there was no Congress without Siddaramaiah. He has said this earlier, too.

“You need Congress for the ‘B’ form, you need Congress’ leadership during the election campaign and you want Congress’ ideology. But after winning and coming to power, saying such things is wrong,” Priyank said, without naming Rajanna.

He was, however, responding to a question about Rajanna’s statement.

“The party is not by, or for, individuals. None must forget that we (leaders) are here because of workers. Without workers, neither am I a leader nor anyone else,” Priyank said.

“Congress has been around for 140 years. Growth of leadership is a continuous process,” he said. Asked about delays in appointing Congress workers to boards and corporations, Priyank said they must have patience. “Everyone won’t get opportunities at once. They’ll get their chance. We’ve already appointed chairpersons to boards and corporations. The appointment of directors is pending. While 85% of the process is done, the rest will be done,” he said. 

Priyank cited the example of his father, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. “One needs to have patience in politics. There’s no bigger example than Kharge for hard work and patience,” he said.