Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (DC)
Bengaluru, Jun 29: Following leaked videos of former CM and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah which has added fuel to the fire to the already troubled coalition government, the Congress high command seems to have decided reign him in. A meeting was held by deputy chief minister G Parameshwara in this regard along with Congress ministers here on Thursday June 29.
By holding the meeting, the Congress high command has indirectly given strict warning to party MLAs and supporters of Siddaramaiah. The high command has directed minister D K Shivakumar to be with the deputy chief minister.
On Thursday, G Parameshwara called all the party ministers to the KPCC office and urged every leader not to issue any statement supporting Siddaramaiah's remark on future of present coalition government or any other such statement which would affect the state government.
In the meeting, Parameshwara clearly told the ministers not to give any statement to the media against the state government, not to issue any statement for or against Siddaramaiah and also avoid off-the-record conversation with the media. He also asked the MLAs to be in touch with the party workers in their respective districts.
He also said that the Congress high command will hold discussions with Siddaramaiah to take him into confidence. It is also reportedly miffed with Siddaramaiah's opposition to present a new budget and has sought videos of Siddaramaiah holding meeting with his close aides. But the high command is not in a position to sideline Siddaramaiah completely.
However, Parameshwara clarified that in the meeting they have not discussed Siddaramaiah's statement which went viral. He said that he has directed the ministers to work for the progress of the state and also discussed about Lok Sabha polls in the meeting.
The high command knows that Siddaramaiah would play a crucial role in getting Ahinda votes in Lok Sabha polls. Hence, it has decided to convince Siddaramaiah and seek his help in strengthening the current coalition government.
In the meeting held on Thursday, all the Congress ministers took part. Minister Zameer Ahmed was seen leaving before the meeting ended and another minister Ramesh Jarkhiholi who is considered to be close to Siddaramaiah too was in hurry to leave soon after the meeting.