Congress High Command to decide on new KPCC President shortly

Bangalore, Sep 2 (UNI) Hectic lobbying is on in Congress in Karnataka, for the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President with two groups -- loyalists and the new comers, indulging in a 'keen tussle'.

While the former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Sidaramaiah, was summoned by party High Command to discuss the issue, a group of party-leaders are opposing Sidaramaiah's candidature, by telling the central party-leaders to consider only the names loyal and long time members of the party.

Siddramaiah had joined Congress after parting ways with Janata Dal(S) President H D Deve Gowda.

The post of KPCC remained vacant after the resignation of the incumbent Mallikarjuna Kharge, following his election as the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in June this year.

As Sidaramaiah is emerging as a stronger candidate, fissures are already being witnessed and opposition is clear against appointing new-entrants to the coveted post.

The group opposing Siddaramaiah, have formed a strong lobby led by former chief minister N Dharam Singh and former Union minister C K Jaffer Sharief. They have decided to meet party chief Sonia Gandhi and bring pressure against the appointment of Sidaramaiah.

The contention of the party loyalists against Sidaramaiah was that the latter, a strong Kuruba Community leader, had failed to bring his community votes to the party in the recent elections.

Sidaramaiah, who was hitherto not considered for any important party position, is not happy with the High Command cold-shouldering him. There were also reports about the leader from Mysore district deserting the party and examining the invitations from the BJP.

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