Will KPCC chief’s mantle fall on veteran Hukkeri?

Belagavi: Amid the ruling Congress party's hunt for a suitable party leader for the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, several aspirants from different parts of the state are lobbying for the prestigious post. 

 

Six-time MLA and sitting MP of Chikkodi Prakash Hukkeri is being projected as a powerful leader suitable for the post by many leaders in north-Karnataka.

 

Hukkeri's image in the party got a boost after he resigned as minister in the state cabinet on the orders of the high command and contested the Lok Sabha polls from Chikkodi constituency. His flawless record as a politician and popularity in Belagavi region helped him win the election against sitting BJP MP Ramesh Katti.

 

Already, Mr Hukkeri has given his consent to man the post if he is found fit by the party high command to lead the party from the front in Karnataka. He said in Belagavi that he was ready to be KPCC president if he was given a chance.

 

“I am ready to become KPCC president but not under the Lingayat quota. If the post is offered to me under the quota, I will reject it.”

 

“Throughout my political career, I have had cordial relations with all communities. I would accept the offer certainly If the post is given to me only with the objective of building the party stronger in the state,'' he said.

 

His image in Chikkodi constituency is so strong that voters elected his son Ganesh Hukkeri as MLA from Chikkodi assembly segment after he quit as MLA to contest the  Lok Sabha polls. A series of projects have been implemented under many state and Centre-sponsored schemes in Chikkodi due to his efforts in the last few decades as MLA.

 

A section of party leaders are lobbying in favour of him in north-Karnataka to get the top party post for him. Ever since Hukkeri informed party leaders that he had no objection to becoming  KPCC president, several leaders in different parts of the state are backing him for the post, party sources said.