Cong plans changes in Karnataka unit

The central leadership here is presently engaged in working out caste equation and overhaul the party in a manner by which it can maximise advantage in coming Assembly polls in the state. The need for a change is being felt in the backdrop of a dissatisfactory performance put up by the Congress in the recent panchayat elections in the state and the worry on the part of the leadership that the JD(S) and the BJP could still spring a surprise by patching up and going to polls together.

Karnataka is currently under President’s rule with the Assembly in suspended animation after the JD(S) and the BJP parted ways earlier this month over the issue of transfer of power.

There has been speculation that the Congress could be looking at the option of forming an alternative government with the JD(S). Senior party leaders here rejected such contentions, pointing that the two-day JD(S) conclave which concluded on Tuesday in Bangalore had already decided against exploring possibilities of forming another government and was not galvanising the party for midterm polls to the state Assembly. Notwithstanding these contentions, there have been reports that the JD(S) MLAs have been pressuring its leadership to either get together with the BJP again or do business with the Congress.

Congress circles here feel that a change of leadership in the state would help the party in wooing sections of voters from the JD(S). Currently, former chief minister Dharam Singh is the CLP leader in the state, while Mallikarjun Kharge is the PCC chief.

Politics in the state is dominated by Vokkaligas, which JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda belongs to as also the Lingayats, considered supporters of the BJP.

Gowda has recently made a Muslim leader the chief of the Karnataka unit. Siddaramiah, a former deputy chief minister in the state is a friend-turned-foe of Deve Gowda and is a known leader of the backwards, but is a late entrant in Congress.