Karnataka: Hariprasad Gets KPCC Post As Congress Separates Party, Government Roles

In a report published on May 30, Deccan Chronicle had indicated that the Congress high command was considering BK Hariprasad for the KPCC chief's post if it chose to separate ministerial and organisational responsibilities. The party on Wednesday appointed Hariprasad as KPCC president.
Hariprasad, whose family roots are in Dakshina Kannada district, remains closely associated with the coastal region.

His name was doing rounds ever since discussions on the party's state leadership gathered pace. Though the name of senior minister Satish Jarkiholi had figured prominently in the initial days, the party eventually opted against entrusting both a Cabinet portfolio and the state unit presidency to the same leader. With Jarkiholi remaining in the government, the path was cleared for Hariprasad to take over the reins of the organisation.

The move is also being seen as an attempt to balance social and regional equations.
Following the exit of Siddaramaiah, a prominent Backward Classes leader, from the chief minister's post, the Congress leadership appears to have factored caste representation into its organisational appointments as well. Hariprasad, who belongs to the Billava community, is expected to strengthen the party's outreach among backward communities.

Party leaders say the appointment has been welcomed by the workers who had been demanding a full-time KPCC president capable of focusing exclusively on organisational affairs at a time when the party faces the challenge of strengthening its grassroots network and preparing for future electoral battles.

A trusted member of the Gandhi family's political circle, Hariprasad currently serves as a Member of the Legislative Council and has once again been nominated by the party for the forthcoming Council elections. His long association with the Congress organisation and the national leadership is widely seen as one of the factors that worked in his favour.

The 71-year-old leader has had a long innings in national politics. He was the member of Rajya Sabha and currently serves as the All-India Congress Committee in-charge for Haryana.

Known for his outspoken views and organisational skills, Hariprasad has often been one of the party's most vocal and strong voices against the BJP and the RSS. Within Congress circles, he is regarded as a leader who is willing to take strong political positions while remaining firmly aligned with the party's ideological line.

Some senior Congress leaders draw parallels between Hariprasad's political style and that of veteran Congress leader Janardhan Poojary, particularly in terms of his direct approach and his emphasis on organisational politics.

Political observers point out that he enjoys the confidence of the party high command while also sharing a good rapport with senior state leaders, including Siddaramaiah.