Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Sep 17: Former chief minister and president of the Congress and JD (S) Samanvaya Samiti, Siddaramaiah is entrusted with the responsibility of resolving the chaos created in the state coalition government due to dissent expressed by the Jarakiholi brothers. In addition, Siddaramaiah is also instructed to convince the Congress ministers and MLAs not to give any negative statement on the coalition government.

K C Venugopal, state in-charge of the Congress party, met Siddaramaiah, who returned to the city after his tour of Europe on the morning of Sunday, at Cauvery Nivasa and discussed the current affairs and political developments of the statement and said to the former CM "Jarakiholi brothers have great regards on you. They will listen to your words. So you speak to them. If there is any issue let us resolve it."

"We have to see that coalition government does not face any issue. The coalition government in the state should be stable if we have to succeed in the national politics in future. AICC president Rahul Gandhi is keenly observing the developments of Karnataka," Venugopal said to Siddaramaiah.

It is learnt that Siddaramaiah has replied to Venugopal and said "There will not be any issue to the coalition government. There may be some grievances. Let us address them. I do not have complete information. I will speak to Jarakiholi brothers."

At the same time, Siddaramaiah requested K C Venugopal to fix time and date to meet AICC president Rahul Gandhi. Venugopal has assured Siddaramaiah that he will get the date and time fixed after reaching Delhi. The residence of Siddaramaiah, who returned after the tour of Europe, was thronged by several Congress leaders throughout the day on Sunday, September 16. Many MLAs including MLA Ajay Singh discussed the recent developments in the state.

As Siddaramaiah was about to travel to Europe there were rumours that the coalition government is in trouble. The developments of the past week gave rise to many speculations. Even after Siddaramaiah has returned, the activities are centered on him.

DCM Parameshwar called for meeting

KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao and working president Eshwar Khandre were present when Venugopal had discussions with Siddaramaiah. However, DCM Dr G Parameshwar did not attend the discussions. Later Venugopal called Parameshwar on his mobile and asked him to join the meeting at the residence of Siddaramaiah. It is learnt that Parameshwar is unhappy with Siddaramaiah and has accused that Siddaramaiah is the reason for all the chaos in the present coalition government. If he had intended, these developments would have been curtailed at the beginning itself. That is why Parameshwar stayed away from the meeting as per the sources.

After the meeting with Siddaramaiah, K C Venugopal spoke to the scribes and said, "I had come to speak with Siddaramaiah. The matter of Jarakiholi brother is not an issue at all. Our state party leaders have resolved it. There is no problem for the coalition government. It is BJP's game to create unnecessary chaos."

Water resources minister D K Shivakumar said, "The present political developments are created by the state leaders of BJP. Due to the intervention of former CM Siddaramaiah, there will be no ill effects on the coalition government. I am ready to become chief minister if the Congress high command wishes."

We are not responsible if the coalition government falls, says Satish Jarakiholi

"We are not responsible if the coalition government collapses due to the other MLAs of the Congress. We cannot do anything in such a situation," said Congress leader and MLA Satish Jarakiholi hinting indirectly that all is not well in the coalition government.

Satish was speaking to the scribes on Sunday, September 16. He further said, "We will not desert the Congress party. There is no danger to the coalition government from us. Still 24 hours are remaining. Anything may happen during this period. BJP might have conducted 'Operation Kamala' by then. Some Congress MLAs might go to BJP. I do not have any information with regards to BJP buying MLAs by offering them money. We cannot do anything, if some Congress MLAs have decided to join BJP. This is their personal matter. I am confident that the coalition government is secure in spite of all these developments."

"I do not have any agenda to discuss with Siddaramaiah, president of Samanvaya Samiti. I am going to Bengaluru on Monday, September 17. If he calls me for a discussion, I will attend the same. Minister Ramesh Jarakiholi has not gone anywhere. He is in Gokak. Even when I was minister I used to travel by my private car. Ramesh also is making use of his personal car at present. There is nothing special about it. There is no danger to the coalition government from us," Satish added.