Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 8: A series of protests and demonstrations are being held by the supporters and fans of disgruntled leaders who have failed to bag a berth in the state cabinet. The Congress high command has noted with consternation that various disappointed leaders and their supporters have been holding protests and issuing statements against the party and its leaders. It has warned the concerned that this might deprive them of any opportunity that may be coming their way in future. The leadership has also sought details of such leaders from the state unit.

It is said that D K Shivakumar, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Krishna Byregowda, who met under the leadership of deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwar on Thursday, decided to meet the disappointed leaders and try to assuage their feelings.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi

Protests by supporters of leaders are happening by way of road blockades, burning of tyres, etc in the city, district headquarters and constituencies of certain legislators who have failed to bag ministries. Prominent leaders who failed to become ministers like H K Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, M B Patil, Shyamanur Shivashankarappa, Roshan Baig, Ramalinga Reddy and some others held a series of meetings in the city to decide future course of action. In the meanwhile, supporters of these leaders like members of city corporations and municipalities etc have tendered their resignations by way of protest. Some have also addressed press conferences, in which verbal tirade was launched against the party leadership.

President of Karnataka Reddy Jana Sangha, Vijayaraghava Reddy, speaking to media persons on Thursday, expressed resentment at keeping Ramalinga Reddy away during ministry formation, in spite of the fact that the leader has served Congress for 45 years, has proven track record as minister and in other positions. He said that that the Sangha meeting scheduled in the city on June 8 will take a decision after discussions.

Supporters of Roshan Baig, Challakere MLA Raghu Murthy etc also protested in front of the KPCC office by holding placards and raising slogans. Supporters of Satish Jarkiholi and Bhadravathi MLA, Sangamesh, too held protests in support of their leaders. A large number of Shyamanur Shivashankarappa's supporters resigned from their posts as corporators and municipal councillors etc, while office bearers of Vijayapura district Congress have erupted in favour of M B Patil.

The Congress- JDS coalition government has kept away the Lingayat leaders who had spearheaded an agitation demanding religious status for Lingayat just before the election. This has angered several leaders, and many activists of the parties are up in arms against what they term as unjust neglect towards Lingayat community.

Before the demand for separate religion status to Lingayat was pursued with vigour a few months ago, it was presumed that this act will snatch Lingayats, who were believed to be largely with the BJP, away towards Congress party. Now, an effort is being made to spread the message that Congress and JD(S), which were never supportive of Lingayat, have distanced themselves from the leaders who fought for Lingayat. Several leaders are planning to organize strong protests by repeating the unity shown during the demand for religious status, to make the government to buckle under pressure.

It was widely believed by Congress leaders and other parties that the fight undertaken to win religious recognition for Lingayat would benefit Congress. But the results have proved otherwise. Leaders like Vinay Kulkarni, Dr Sharana Prakash Patil and Basavaraj Rayareddy were defeated. M B Patil, who had led the agitation from the front, has won. General perception then was that the then chief minister, Siddaramaiah, had actively supported the agitators. But it is believed that several influential Congress leaders have succeeded in convincing the top leadership of the party that politicization of Lingayat issue had cost the party dear, resulting in loss of several seats. Not picking Lingayat leaders for ministership is being attributed to this by several leaders.

In JD(S) too, its only Lingayat leader, Basavaraj Horatti, who has remained loyal to the party since long and is getting elected every time as MLC, had also associated himself with the Lingayat struggle. It is said that both Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy were not happy with the interest taken by Horatti in this issue. It is said that this is the reason Horatti has not been made a minister.

While Congress has given representation to only one Lingayat in the ministry, influential politicians who participated in the agitation have been purposefully left out, analysts claim.

Lingayat Mahasabha has begun an indefinite protest demonstration at Hubballi demanding ministerial positions for M B Patil and Basavaraj Horatti. If the protests fail, their followers might urge these two leaders to desert their parties, in which case Congress and JD(S) may face the heat. This might eventually benefit BJP, which is eagerly waiting for the developments. The situation has taken a curious turn and people are waiting as to where the issue might lead the concerned.