Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 8: The campaigning for assembly election for the Congress in Karnataka so far seems to have been undertaken solely by chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah. Since he began campaign in right earnest through his Nava Karnataka Nirmana Yatra during mid-December 2017, Siddaramaiah, seems to be leading from the front without
anyone in his close proximity.

Disinterestedness on the part of other senior leaders of Congress including several cabinet ministers in joining the CM in this task is conspicuous. Veteran leaders of the party are seen to be participating in public meetings only when national president of the party, Rahul Gandhi, participates in them.

President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Dr G Parameshwar, had launched a simultaneous Yatra during December, but he seems to have dropped the idea midway. As per arrangement, the CM was to tour 124 constituencies, leaving the balance to the KPCC president. The CM was to take part in government programmes while Parameshwara was to organize programmes on behalf of the party.

Some sources close toCongress party attribute the aloofness of senior leaders of the party to the feeling of frustration they are undergoing because of undue importance being given to Siddaramaiah and also the national leadership's reluctance to stop Siddaramaiah from repeatedly staking claim to the position of the chief minister again. The fact that he has announced nominations to about 80 constituencies without consulting other leaders has also caused lot of heart burn among the top state level leaders of the party, it is said.

In contrast, the BJP has been able to strike a semblance of unity with the participation of state and central level leaders in its campaigns. Union ministers, Ananth Kumar, D V Sadananda Gowda, Ananth Kumar Hegde etc have been actively involved with the party's campaign. Like in Congress, BJP in the state too is divided because of differences between top leaders, but that has not stopped them from putting up united show because of the intervention of central leadership of the party.

Several of the leaders, particularly those who are perceived close to the CM, are busy preparing to face polls. Recently, the Congress campaign committee, which is led by state energy minister, D K Shivakumar, had educated the Congressmen about points on which BJP can be humbled during campaigns. Still, there has so far been no enthusiastic response for this plan of action, it is learnt.