Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 25: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar has made it clear that party positions will be given only to those who work at the grassroots level, not to those who lobby with senior leaders in Bengaluru.
His remarks have not gone down well with ministers who are pushing for positions for their supporters. The development is likely to further escalate internal differences within the state Congress, as some ministers openly demanding Shivakumar’s removal as KPCC president may raise objections.
Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru before leaving for Delhi on Tuesday, Shivakumar said, “We need people who work at the taluk level, not those who hover around senior leaders in Bengaluru. Positions of power should bring results. We will prioritize leaders who work on the ground and deliver.”
He was responding to a question about dropping close associates of some ministers from the list of office-bearers.
Asked whether the list of office-bearers would be submitted to the high command, he said, “The list is ready, but we will not submit it right away. Some substitutions need to be made for those who are not interested in these roles. We need people who can work round the clock at the grassroots. Appointing someone due to influence or pressure serves no purpose. The AICC has clearly instructed us to prioritize those willing to work hard. We are also ensuring more representation for women in view of the reservation. Ministers’ feedback is being considered, and the list will be finalized this week.”
On his visit to Delhi, he said, “During a recent meeting of state irrigation ministers in Rajasthan, I had raised concerns about Karnataka’s irrigation projects with Union Jal Shakti minister C R Patil. He has now given me time to discuss these issues, which is the reason for my visit.”
“Our irrigation department officials have already held preliminary discussions with Union Jal Shakti officials in Delhi. We will now seek approvals for various irrigation projects in the state,” he added.