Prominence to Siddu, Dr G, DKS riles North Karnataka Congress netas

Bengaluru: Discontent is brewing among Congress leaders from north Karnataka with the party high command  giving more than their due share of importance to leaders belonging to south Karnataka.

North Karnataka leaders have started complaining about the over dependence of the top brass on Congress Legislature party leader, Siddaramaiah, KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwar and the party's campaign committee chairman, D. K. Shivakumar-all from south Karnataka.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior party leader from Hyderabad-Karnataka region disclosed that party leaders were not even listening or taking leaders of this region seriously anymore. “Except for Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, M. Mallikarjun Kharge, the top brass is not even bothered about seeking the opinion of leaders from this region. The biggest face-saver for the Congress came from this region as the party's dominance was not affected despite anti-incumbency running high across the state. The party won 21 of the 40 seats in this region but nobody takes leaders from here seriously," a senior leader observed.

“In their own backyard, Mr Siddaramaiah won only three seats in Mysuru which sends 11 legislators to the Assembly, while in the case of Dr Parameshwar who hails from Tumkuru which sends 11 legislators, only three won. As far as Mr Shivakumar  is concerned, the less said the better. Though he postures as the Vokkliga face of the party, he has failed to deliver in his own backyard- Mandya and Hassan districts, where the party lost all seats,” the source lashed out.

Concurring with the views expressed by this leader, another leader from Mumbai-Karnataka on the condition of anonymity charged that party leaders are still undecided on giving important portfolios to north Karnataka.

“They keep saying that Lingayats did not vote for the party, but the case is totally different in Mumbai-Karnataka region where the party performed well. For instance, in Belagavi, the party has improved  its seat tally by two, which is not at all recognised by party leaders. Mr Siddaramaiah, Mr Shivakumar and Dr Parameshwar are trying to misguide party central leaders by citing the fact that the Lingayats did not vote for the Congress and garner more portfolios for their aides. This needs to be exposed," the source lashed out.