K'taka: Congress ready for mid term polls

Bangalore, Oct 13: The Congress in Karnataka has directed its party leaders to get ready for the polls, state Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced today.

Speaking to newspersons here he said the party high command had directed the state unit to ensure that no leader aired his views on any issue related to the present political situation that warranted imposition of the President's rule a few days ago, following the collapse of the coalition government of Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular).

Replying to queries, Mr Kharge denied there was infringement on individual's freedom of expression and said anyone was free to express views in front of the party unit instead of interacting with the media. ''There was no room for expressing personal opinions'', he added.

Asked about the possibility of his party joining hands with the JD(S) he said the Assembly would be dissolved and elections held. It would be good if one party ruled the state so that the administration would not collapse. However, he did not specifically reply to a question on the possibility of joining hands with JD(S) saying, that it was for the High Command to decide.

He said the party legislators, MPs, District unit presidents and candidates defeated in the last elections had been instructed by the party leaders, to create awareness among people about those responsible for the present situation.

UNI