Bangalore, October 20: The Congress government is not likely to nominate heads to the various boards and corporations in the State before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Although Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured members of the KPCC’s executive committee that nominations would be announced shortly in consultation with the party high command, sources said it is not likely to happen before the elections.
“It would do well for the government to ensure there is no dissent among party workers in the run-up to the polls. There are several aspirants for the nominations and there is definitely going to be “heartburn” among workers after the process is completed. This may have an impact on the poll campaigning. So it is unlikely that nominations will happen before the elections,” a senior party leader told The Hindu.
Doubt cast
At Saturday’s meeting when Mr. Siddaramaiah assured them that the nominations would be done shortly, senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary pointed out that it may not be possible for the high command to approve the nominations before the Madhya Pradesh elections.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, who said he would try and get the approval shortly, said nominations to various committees at the taluk and district level would be completed within a month. “This process has started and I have asked the district in-charge Ministers to recommend names,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
Transparency
Sources said the former Speaker and Srinivaspura MLA K.R. Ramesh Kumar made a point at the meeting by asking the Chief Minister and KPCC chief G. Parameshwara to define the word “tainted”.
“Candidates are not termed tainted when they are given ticket and win as legislators. But when it comes to including them in the Cabinet, a report is sent to the high command alleging that the particular MLA is tainted. This is unfair,” he said. Demanding there should be transparency in the selection of candidates, Mr. Kumar said people manage to get party ticket by convincing the Central leaders, irrespective of the fact that they are recommended by the KPCC or not.
Later, Dr. Parameshwara said Mr. Kumar’s suggestion of transparency in the selection of candidates would be considered.
Other resolutions
The other resolutions adopted at the meeting included a request to the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) to hold its next session in Bangalore, to thank the people of Karnataka for bringing the Congress to power; to thank the Centre for amending Article 371 (J) to accord special status to six districts in the Hyderabad Karnataka region; and for adopting several landmark legislations, including land acquisition and food security; and to thank the State government for implementing the party’s manifesto programmes.
The meeting also resolved to hold monthly meetings of Block Congress, District Congress and Pradesh Congress Committees as per directions of AICC, and continue the party’s membership drive at the booth level to further strengthen the party.
Minority vote bank
Sources said former Union Minister C.K. Jaffer Sharief said that the minority vote bank should not be taken for granted. He reportedly said it would be advisable for the government to come up with long-term welfare measures for minorities.
