Attack on Anand Singh: Congress panel to meet today

Mangaluru: The moment of reckoning has arrived for Kampli Congress MLA  J.N. Ganesh with a panel headed by Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar, which was set up to probe the alleged assault by Mr Ganesh on Hosapete MLA Anand Singh, likely to meet on Monday.

Mr Ganesh allegedly attacked Anand Singh at Eagleton Resort in Bidadi on January 20. Following this, the Congress suspended Ganesh from the party and the police are still searching for him. A committee headed by Dr Parameshwar was formed to inquire into the matter and furnish a report to the party high command.

“Ganesh is absconding. Meanwhile, the panel headed by Dr Parameshwar is inquiring into the case. He wants to hold a meeting on Monday. Based on the panel report, we will take action against him,” KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao told reporters.

“Even if he (Ganesh) does not appear before the panel, there are witnesses. Considering this, the panel will give a report,” he said.

Mr Gundurao  denied allegations that Congress would suffer electorally due to the coalition with the JD(S) in the state. “It is not true. In fact we have won the byelections in Jayanagar, Rajarajeshwari Nagar and the MLC election in Vijayapura. We also stood first in the municipality elections and won the Lok Sabha and Assembly byelection in Ballari and Jamkhandi respectively. Where have we suffered?” he wondered.

The KPCC president agreed that there might be problems in Mysuru, Mandya and Hassan  Lok Sabha seats. “In Mandya and Ramanagar byelections we co-operated. Our aim is to remove communal and publicity oriented rule," he said.

Mr Gundurao declared that the party had always stressed on discipline. "We have asked party workers not to give any statement that would cause problems to the coalition government in the state. There is a good understanding at the top level. There could be some differences at the grassroot level,” he added.