From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 22: With all and sundry Congress leaders, including ministers and even KPCC Chief Dr G Parameshwara and leaders of various Dalit organisations, repeatedly making public utterances on the need for a leader from among the Dalits becoming chief minister of Karnataka, the party high command is believed to have advised all the Congress leaders to virtually 'shut up' and refrain from publicly airing their views.

The statements for and against the Dalit becoming chief minister have the potential of damaging the image of the Congress party, the high command has reportedly advised the Congress functionaries.

The Congress party high command’s stern warning to the State Congress leaders was reportedly conveyed by AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh, who is also the party in charge for the State.

"The continued debate on the Dalit as chief minister issue is totally unwarranted and unnecessary," Singh is believed to have told Dr Parameshwara.

Digvijaya Singh is also reported to have asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to direct all his cabinet colleagues not to speak either for or against the issue as the "post of the chief minister is not vacant.'

Singh is known to have told Dr Parameshwara not to speak on the issue as it will harm the image of the party.

He is also known to have been upset at Revenue Minister V Srinivasa Prasad and Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya, both of whom belong to the Dalit community like Dr Parameshwara and reportedly asked the chief minister to direct his cabinet colleagues that publicly speaking on the issue was not in the interests of the party.

"We need to remain united and speak in unison," Singh is believed to have said.