Wait till 2018 for Cong posts, Siddaramaiah tells disgruntled members

KPCC president says decision intentionally taken, following the directions of High Command CM advises party men to have patience and wait for work during assembly elections Party members have been told to take responsibilities to improve the party's image in their constituencies  

The State Congress leaders have assured that significant works would be assigned during the Lok Sabha elections, to those who are disgruntled with the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office-bearers’ list. Also in the context of general elections approaching, they have been advised to focus more on winning the election rather than concentrating on the appointment of office-bearers, reports Kannada Prabha.

KPCC president Dr G Parameshwara and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gave the directions to party men at the legislature meeting held on Monday, in the wake of Presidential election. At the meeting, Parameshwar said many legislators were unhappy and have expressed themselves for not being included in the list of new office-bearers. However, it was a decision intentionally taken, following the directions of High Command. When the elections are round the corner how can a legislator concentrate on the constituency if burdened with party work? Presently, KPCC has decided to handover two constituencies to each KPCC office-bearer. If legislators become office-bearers, how can they handle the responsibilities of the additional constituency, along with theirs, he questioned. Also after one year of Legislative assembly elections, the Lok Sabha elections will be held. The legislators will be fully utilised during the time, he assured, reports Kannada Prabha.

Intervening him, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the legislators should not worry over not being given the posts of office-bearers but to concentrate on their respective constituencies and secure them in view of elections next year. "If anyone pressurises, we are ready to give it to you but how will you handle the pressure during legislative assembly elections? Any faulty steps will prove dangerous to your future. Hence have patience and focus on your respective constituencies," CM advised.

On the occasion, the chief minister also expressed his unhappiness regarding government chief electoral officer Ashok Pattana for not inviting the JD(S) legislators who were willing to vote for Congress during the Presidential elections. He said the rebel legislators were willing to vote for our candidate. "What were you doing instead of calling them and summoning them by sharing information," he questioned.