Bangalore: Congress Leaders' Secret Pact with Gowda for CM's Post

SOM

Bangalore, May 20: Even before elections to the third and final phase of elections are held, lobbying has begun in the Congress for the Chief Minister's post. Most senior Congress leaders do not want the party to get a clear majority. These leaders are of the opinion that they do have a chance if there is a hung Assembly. These leaders cannot digest the fact that top AICC leaders are favouring S.M. Krishna for the CM's post, if the party comes to power on its own.

The party leaders themselves have confessed that several leaders have entered into a secret pact with JD(S) Supremo H.D. Deve Gowda in order to prevent S.M. Krishna from getting the CM's post.

KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge is not sure about getting the CM's post even if the party comes to power. If the leaders provide top post, taking into consideration the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, then Kharge should be satisfied at that. If not, a Cabinet berth is guaranteed to him, if a Congress government is formed.

Former Chief Minister Dharam Singh, former opposition leader in the Legislative Council H.K. Patil and Union Minister K.H. Mu-niyappa are preferring a hung Assembly. Their intention is to keep out Krishna from CM's post.

These leaders who are in constant touch with JD(S) Supremo Deve Gowda are dreaming of becoming CM. Dharam Singh, who earlier was of the view that elections should not be held at present as it will again lead to a hung Assembly, has now thrown his hat into the ring.

H.K. Patil, who used to get a backdoor entry (MLC) for the past three decades, is now contesting the Assembly elections for the first time in order to take up the leadership of the party with the support of Deve Gowda.

For Muniyappa, Deve Gowda's statement itself is the word of wisdom. He is banking on Gowda's support to replace Kharge in case the High Command decides to give the CM's post to the KPCC President. All the leaders are well aware that if the party gains majority, the top brass of the party will not point their fingers at them.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Siddharamaiah is aware that he is certainly not going to get the CM's post. But he is tired of Gowda's relationship. He is one of the leaders fighting for the party to get an absolute majority.