KPCC chief assures Lingayat leaders they are not being ignored

Bangalore, Feb 4 (PTI) In an attempt to address thefeeling nurtured by a section of the Lingayat communityleaders in the party that they were being ignored, KarnatakaPradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President G Parameshwaraheld a meeting with them today.

In the meeting, which was attended by former deputychief minister M P Prakash, MLAs and MLCs among others,Parameshwara assured them "they have remained the backbone ofthe Congress party and there was no question of ignoring orsidelining them", sources said.

He appealed to them to sink differences if any and strivefor strengthening the party, they added.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of politicalinstability haunting the BJP government led by Chief MinisterB S Yeddyurappa, who is facing allegations of corruption.

The Congress leaders feel that the threat of amid-term poll lurks over the state and the party needs to gearup to face it.

A few months ago when the Congress was in the process ofappointing the KPCC chief, Lingayat leaders had urged theparty high command to nominate one from their community to thejob, which however went to Parameshwara, a senior leader.