Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 5: The Congress, which had not officially elected leader of the opposition even after it has been two months since the party's role was changed to that of the opposition, has now begun an exercise to choose leader of the opposition in the assembly. The party is in a hurry to finish this task as the assembly session is set to begin on October 10.

The meeting will be held on Sunday in the presence of All India Congress Committee general secretary, Madhusudan Mistry. Mistry will be arriving here for the purpose on Saturday. Mistry will collect opinions on the issue from party leaders, former and current members of parliament, former ministers, MLAs, MLCs etc.

There is keen contest for this post between Siddaramaiah and H K Patil. It is said that former deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwar, too is an aspirant. It is said that he is angling for the post of the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee if he does not get the above post.

Reportedly, the party is interested to allot two posts, one of the leader of the opposition, and the other, leader of the Congress legislature party. The high command is thinking of choosing someone else as the leader of the Congress legislature party if Siddaramaiah insists on getting the post of the leader of the opposition. If Siddaramaiah succeeds in getting the post, the leaders of his opponent camp might insist on changing the KPCC president and demand that post for them, it is gathered.

Choosing of a leader of the opposition in the legislative council also is under consideration. S R Patil and C M Ibrahim are interested in this post, as per information.

It is said that state Congress in-charge K C Venugopal, has not been invited for the said meeting. At the same time, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao, who is on England tour now, will be returning on October 10. Venugopal's absence will be a setback for Siddaramaiah, political analysts say.