Times of India

Mysore, Dec 24: Anguish of party workers over being sidelined in the Congress came to fore when a cold war broke out between old Congressmen and new entrants on Sunday.

Faced with charges of ‘migrant’ leaders getting prominence, former deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah nearly manhandled former minister Mahadev at a meeting of Youth Congress workers.

At one point, a ferocious Siddaramaiah abused Mahadev challenging him to prove his charges. A Congress leader, who was sharing the dais with these two, said that Siddaramaiah allegedly punched Mahadev on his chest and abused him.

Trouble started when Mahadev, addressing the meet, accused the recent entrants to the party of sidelining the old Congress workers. “ I have even brought this to the notice of Sonia Gandhi,” he added.

The statement was unpalatable for Siddaramaiah’s followers and former mayors Maniraju and Ananthu. They stood up and challenged Mahadev to name those migrants. “Be specific when you make accusations against leaders,” they said. Then all hell broke loose when Siddaramaiah also joined his supporters and made his way towards Mahadev, pushing aside some Congress leaders. In the melee, former mayor Vasu fell down.

As the ugly incident unfolded, party workers started shouting slogans in favour of their leaders. Then some leaders, including city Congress president Dasegowda, prevailed upon Siddaramaiah to calm down and take his seat.

Later addressing the workers, Siddaramaiah denied allegations of manhandling Mahadev. “I only tried to make way towards the mike by separating the leaders on the dais. I wanted to tell workers to calm down,” he claimed.

“ In my political career of more than 25 years I have never been unruly with people and this time also, I never intended to do so,” he added. Talking to reporters, Mahadev refused to comment on the incident. “All of you were witness to what happened . What is there to talk about or confirming the incident?” he asked, while refusing to disclose whether he will report this to the high command.

No to back-door politics

Siddaramaiah said he is the last person to indulge in ‘backdoor’ politics. Addressing the Youth Congress workers here, he said he joined the Congress unconditionally. “The only condition I placed before the high command was all eight legislators, who joined the Congress with me, must be provided tickets to contest the next assembly elections,” he claimed. He denied nurturing ambitions to become party president or chief minister. “ I still have time to be in politics and I am not zealous to achieve positions,” he said.