Sonia Gandhi intervenes to douse dissidence in Cong

In a severe setback to Opposition leader Siddaramaiah’s camp, Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi said there will no  change of leadership in the state unit of the Congress. Sonia’s statement came in the backdrop of hectic lobbying by different Congress groups for the KPCC president’s post in the run-up to the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

Earlier in the day, a group of Lingayat leaders led by senior leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa met representatives of the party high command in New Delhi, demanding the KPCC president’s post for Shivashankarappa. The post is held by Dr G Parameshwar who belongs to external affairs minister SM Krishna’s camp.

Parameshwar does not share a good relationship with Siddaramaiah. If Parameshwar continues as KPCC chief, he will become the undisputed contestant for the chief minister’s post if the Congress is voted to power. Since Congress has a good chance of coming to power this time, Siddaramaiah does not want to forgo his chances to become the chief minister. According to sources, Siddaramaiah is planning the ouster of Parameshwar, fearing the latter’s dominance during ticket distribution for the assembly elections.

KPCC treasurer Shamanur Shivashankarappa, former minister Rani Satish, and party leader Ashok Pattad met Sonia Gandhi and her political secretary Ahmad Patel and urged for the removal of Parameshwar.

Parameshwar has also been lobbying for continuing in the KPCC president’s post with the support of Krishna.

According to sources, Krishna also pitched into the battle for protecting Parameshwar who is known to be the external affairs minister’s right-hand man.

Speaking to reporters, Rani Satish said: “Our aim is to bring the Congress to power in the state.”Senior leader V Ugrappa said the party high command responded to them positively and they will meet leaders again shortly. However, the plans of Siddaramaiah camp turned turtle as Sonia decided to continue with Parameshwar as the KPCC chief.