Rahul tells state leaders to prevent 'Operation Kamala'

Amid threat by some Congress disgruntled legislators to raise banner of revolt in the Congress -JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday made it clear to the state leadership to prevent any attempt by BJP to snatch the party MLAs, and resolve the leaders demand amicably.

Rahul Gandhi, who chaired the meeting of state leaders in the evening, told them to take all steps for ensuring the stability of the government and not to allow the attempt by the Opposition parties to destabilise the government by “Operation Kamala.”

BJP had launched "Operation Kamala" to shore up its numbers in the state Assembly in 2008. Under the 'operation', BJP weaned away opposition MLAs, who quit their Assembly seats and contested re-election on the BJP symbol.

Getting feedback from state leaders on the growing digruntlement among the legislators, Rahul was learnt to have told the state leadership that they should talk to all of them and try to address their concern.

While advising the state leaders not to yield to backmail tactics of any leader, he also suggested them to accommodate the MLAs' reasonable demands. Rahul also agreed with the state leaders' suggestion for expanding the Cabinet to fill vacant berths and appoint chairman for boards and corporation in the first week of next month, said a leader on condition on anonymity.

He also advised the state leaders to talk to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and meet the legislators' demand on developments and release of funds to constituency.

In the hour-long meeting, Rahul said since the party top leaders decided to have a coalition government with JD(S) and the onus is on the Congress to ensure it stability, every leader should work for its stability and there should not be any attempt to topple it.

The meeting was attended by AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal, Karnataka Pradesh Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao, working president Eshwar Khandre and Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara.

Rahul had summoned the state leaders to discuss the current political developments in the state after Municipal Administration Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and his brother MLA Satish Jarkiholi threatened to raise banner of revolt pressing for some demands.

Prior to meeting with Rahul, the state leaders also met Venugopal and discussed the issue. Though none of the leaders spoke to media after the meeting with Rahul, prior to meeting, former chief minister Siddaramaiah said that there wass no dissident activity and government was stable.