Hassan Congress complain to Siddaramaiah

It became evident once again on Thursday that all is not well within the Congress, especially at the grassroots level after having partnered with the JD(S).

A large delegation of party workers from Hassan, a JD(S) stronghold, approached Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah with the grouse that Congress was under threat by the regional party. “If the Congress is alive, it is because of you. We want you to come to Hassan,” they said, asking Siddaramaiah to intervene.

Specifically, Congress leaders from Hassan complained that Public Works Minister H D Revanna, who represents Holenarsipura in the district, was working toward weakening the Congress.

“I don’t know why they’ve complained against me, if at all they have. If Siddaramaiah talks to me, I’m ready to discuss this. I’ve never indulged in vengeful politics,” Revanna told reporters.

The grouse aired by Hassan Congress workers is an extension of a larger concern many in the Congress share, which is that the alliance with the JD(S) was against the party’s interests.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao called it “an internal party matter.” He said the party workers met Siddaramaiah to discuss the prevailing political situation in Hassan.

“They wanted to discuss problems concerning party workers and to press for more representation to the district during government nominations or appointments,” Rao said.