Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP) 

Bengaluru, Nov 25: Campaigning for the coming by-poll in the state has been on full throttle but differences between Congress leaders continue unabated. It is said that in a clear message to the party high command, former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, has said that he cannot be held responsible if the party fails to win more seats. 

On Saturday night, in-charge of Congress affairs in the state, K C Venugopal, had held a secret meeting with the participation of Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dinesh Gundu Rao. During this meeting, Siddaramaiah is learnt to have pointed out about the confusion prevailing among the party leaders, and shortage of resources as deterrents in the smooth passage of the party candidates in the by-poll. 

It is said that senior party leaders like B K Hariprasad, K H Muniyappa, Dr G Parameshwara, Ramalinga Reddy, D K Shivakumar and M Veerappa Moily are angry at the fact that Siddaramaiah unilaterally took decisions on allotment of tickets and selection of candidates. Siddaramaiah faction feels that these leaders have not been actively campaigning and they participate only for token presence. Their attitude against leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah, has reportedly irked Gundu Rao. 

It may be recalled that the senior leaders had objected to Siddaramaiah's move to finalize names of eight candidates on his own. Later, in a meeting of senior leaders of the party, Siddaramaiah had reportedly told them that he is prepared to field candidates of their choice in the remaining constituencies, but told them that ensuring their victory and arranging for funds would be their responsibility. .Angered by this response, the leaders directly told Siddaramaiah to take all decisions himself and also take responsibility of making sure that these candidates become victorious. 

Siddaramaiah plans to win at least eight seats and thereby convince party leadership about his supremacy over the BJP but the non-cooperation by certain leaders is worrying him. He has told Venugopal that BJP has been offering various lures to voters and the party is facing dearth of funds. As veteran leaders are not trying to pool funds for the party, Siddaramaiah has been facing problems, it is learnt. 

Reportedly, Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao are against the individual tours organized by former minister, D K Shivakumar, in the name of temple visits during which he has been addressing meetings of party workers in different district headquarters. Senior leaders are now incensed about this separate meeting held by Venugopal with Siddaramaiah and expressed their displeasure as as they feel that this was a ploy shied Siddaramaiah.