Karnataka Congress president sits firm in his KPCC saddle
Congress high command to pick his successor only after Assembly elections in five states and AICC session.
BENGALURU: KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar, who completed five years in office in October 2015, seems set to create history of sorts and continue to hold the key post for some more time as central leaders of Congress are likely to pick his successor only after Assembly polls in five states followed by the crucial AICC session.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader observed that the issue of electing a new chief of the state unit would be relegated to the backburner because central leaders would be busy drawing up strategies and hitting the road as the Congress would leave no stone unturned during elections in five states.
With Dr Parameshwar keen to host the AICC session in Bengaluru and the possibility of vice president Rahul Gandhi taking over the reins from his mother Sonia Gandhi, these central leaders could allow to continue in the top post for some more time.
“Any out going president would like to part of such a historic moment if leaders at the AICC session decide to elect Mr Gandhi as the party president. With no election scheduled in the state for next one year, it will not be difficult for Dr Parameshwar to continue as PCC president till AICC session is organised in the state,” the leader explained.
Besides, his party government would cross the three-year milestone in May 2016 but no elections, even to local bodies, are scheduled during the next few months. Therefore, Dr Parameshwar is likely to get an extension till the AICC session which might be held in the state, the leader added.
Meanwhile, sources in sources in the party said CM Siddaramaiah had mooted the prospect of a leader belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST) to succeed Dr Parameshwar and even broached the names of some of his supporters during discussions with central leaders recently, a move which could further consolidate the AHINDA factor.
His move comes at a time when some leaders belonging to Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities are lobbying with leaders in New Delhi to take over the reins from Dr Parameshwar and remain in the saddle in the run-up to crucial Assembly polls in 2018.