Bangalore:Karnataka Congress Faces Revolt : Kharge Leadership Under Threat
by Daijiworld Political Correspondent
Bangalore, Jul 10: At a time when Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa is gearing up to expand his ministry on Thursday, one of the congress MLAs who recently joined BJP alongwith two JDS legislators who jumped into the BJP bandwagon, are sure to get ministerial berths.
Sources close to power corridors have revealed to Daijiworld, that another group of three MLAs is expected to defect to BJP within the next 48 hours.
Congress leader Siddaramaiah, amidst a spate of strong rumourss making the rounds claiming that he is on the verge of joining BJP, has strongly denied the rumours, confirming that he continues to be in the Congress. But during a political turmoil that is brewing at Bangalore ,Siddu has left for Mauritious for enjoying some leisure. But sources insist that atleast three of Siddu's followers are planning to join BJP and pepare the ground for Siddu to join the BJP ranks in the coming days.
Meantime, Congress legislative party has convened a meeting on Jul 10, 2008 in an effort to dissuade its MLAs from migrating to BJP. Several Congress leaders have made their displeasure known over the functioning style of state legislative party leader Mallikarjun Kharge, holding his poor leadership skills and inadequate tact as major reasons responsible for the exodus of legislators the party is witnessing of late.
Even though the state Congress leaders had bought to the notice of the high command about the Kharge's failed leadership, the Congress bosses are least bothered to lend an ear to the opinions of the new generation. Central leaders from the State like Oscar Fernandes, Veerappa Moily and others as usual, stick to "Houdappa" (Yes sir!) policy and have not revealed any interest or instincts to improve the standing of the Congress in the state.
Many MLAs now have decided either to openly revolt against Kharge, or switch over to alternative parties for better prospects. Thursday's legislative party meeting is going to be crucial for Kharge and his followers, as unhappy MLAs are expected to vent their frank opinions during the discussion.
Congress MLA, Sandawood star Jaggesh goes 'Missing' :
In another interesting development, a congress MLA who had to fight hard within the party to get a ticket to contest the recent election, and later succeeded in winning his seat, has gone 'missing' from the Congress camp. Sources have revealed that, Jaggesh is negotiating with BJP for a ministerial birth or other respectable position in the state, in exchange for joining the saffron party.
The moment Congress got this news, senior leaders were busy tracing Jaggesh's whereabouts. D K Shivakumar who was
in New Delhi ordered his partyment to find Jaggesh and convience him not to jump to BJP.
Daijiworld's political correspondent has gathered, that the congressmen who were on a hunt for Jaggesh till the early hours today, finally got the information that he is available at his sister's house in Annapoorneshwarinagar, Bangalore.
About 100 congress party workers who are loyal (?) to Congress gathered in front of the house where Jaggesh was
staying, and raised slogans against Jaggesh. Within minutes, a large posse of police personnel who outnumbered the congress
supporters, descended on the spot and chased away the trouble makers, sources said.
Jaggesh who had swithched off his mobile phone was constantly in touch with BJP leaders and also the police department at the same time!