DyCM downplays Ajmer trip of Jarkiholi

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday dismissed speculation over the purported ‘show of strength’ by Municipal Administration Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, who left for Ajmer with nearly a dozen legislators.

“Can’t he go with friends to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah?,” Parameshwara asked reporters. “I don’t think there’s anything else to this, except a group of friends who wanted to pray together.”

Ramesh along with Rahim Khan (Bidar), Mahesh Kumathalli (Athani), Shrimant Patil (Kagwad) and others left for Ajmer on Tuesday. It had raised eyebrows in the Congress circles in what was seen as a ‘show of strength’ even as the party is looking to fill six vacant Cabinet posts, for which there are many aspirants.

Shankar to step down?

It is learnt that Congress leader B L Shankar is considering stepping down as KPCC vice president. According to sources, Shankar wants to resign as a result of the change in guard, with Dinesh Gundu Rao taking over as KPCC president. Shankar wants to make it easy for Rao to appoint new office-bearers by stepping
down.

Shankar, a former Legislative Council chairperson, unsuccessfully contested the recent Assembly election from the Chikmagalur constituency and lost to BJP’s C T Ravi.

A section of senior leaders is miffed over the growing rumblings of discontent in the party.

“Power is concentrated with just a handful of leaders. The party workers are highly demoralised, starting with the fact that they are blaming the top leaders for the party’s defeat and then hurrying with the decision to join hands with the JD(S),” a leader said.

“If things go on like this, we may not do well in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.”