Congress in K'taka presents a united face

Bangalore, Mar 21 (UNI) Presenting a united leadership in Karnataka Congress, KPCC president Mallikarjuna Kharge and former chief minister S M Krishna today announced that 'stability' will be the main plank for the party for the coming assembly elections.

In a joint press conference here today the two leaders said that people were longing for a stable government and Congress was ready to provide it.

Mr Krishna today assumed charge as Chairman of party's Coordination Committee while former Deputy Chief Minister Siddramaiah took over as the Chairman of Campaign Committee at the KPCC office here.

Mr Krishna, who had quit as the Maharashtra Governor recently and returned to state politics said that People of Karnataka have seen the pitfalls of coalition politics during last three years and were eager to see political stability.

Recalling several pro-people programmes initiated when he was the Chief Minister, he said those programmes were launched in such a way that all of them have got institutionalised and proved to be sustainable for many years.

Mr Siddramaiah said the state's economy had been rated as one of the most stable in the country and steps taken by Mr Krishna as Chief Minister was responsible for this achievement.

Stating that coming elections in Karnataka will be fought by the party under collective leadership, without aspiring for any positions or posts by any leader, he said Congress was the only political party in the state that was capable of fielding its candidates in all the 224-assembly segments.

Denying that party was divided on several counts, Mr Siddramaiah said, "We have remained united and fight the coming elections to bring party to the pedestal of power" he said.

Mr Kharge said Congress was ready to face elections and election campaign would be launched shortly. Stating that all the committees which as announced by the party high command would function with cohesion under the able guidance of KPCC and party observer to Karantaka Prithviraj Chavan.

Former Chief Minister Dharam Singh, union ministers M V Rajashekaran, K H Muniyappa, former legislators were also present on the occasion.

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