Dr G to DCCs: Report why upper caste voters rejected Congress
Focus on regaining their support and identify new leaders among them at booth level'.
BENGALURU: KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar reportedly directed district units to hand in detailed reports on factors which cost the party dear in recent Assembly polls as well as reasons for voters belonging to upper castes to shun the Congress, resulting in a dismal performance at the hustings.
Simultaneous Dr Parameshwar tried to pacify these leaders over why the party succumbed to JD(S) in an unprecedented manner, handing over the Chief Minister’s post as well as plum portfolios, to the coalition partner.
A senior leader told Deccan Chronicle after a meeting of the office bearers here It is a known fact that Congress has never been supported by voters of upper castes but it is also a fact that it used to wean away a substantial section of votes from these communities to an extent of 35 to 40 per cent in every election. But this time, it has slipped to less than 20 per cent on an average and in some constituencies it has not even garnered 10 per cent of the votes of upper castes. Therefore, we need to know the reasons so that the party can make efforts set right prior to 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” the leader added.
The leader stated that Dr Parameshwar also stressed upon focusing on regaining the support of voters of the upper castes and identify new leadership among them at the block level and booth level.
“Ahead of 2019, the party needs to launch an intensive programme in order to attract upper castes by establishing and reconnecting with party's ex-leaders from these communities,” the leader added.
The leader claimed that the party was planning to fill posts in state run boards and corporations on an equity basis.
“Every community needs to be represented in on equal basis,” the leader added.
The leader claimed that party leaders were certainly upset with central leaders for succumbing to Janata Dal (Secular) in an unprecedented manner. In response, Dr Parameshwar asserted that central leaders were forced to hand over power to JD (S) keeping in mind Lok Sabha elections in 2019. “Things can improve only if the party wins every election it contests from now on, be it local bodies or Lok Sabha, the party needs to win more seats than its coalition partner. Otherwise, complaining about the present dispensation will hold no water,” the leader quoted Dr Parameshwar as advising office bearers.