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K’taka Cong in 2 minds over Gowda support
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NewsByte on 06 June, 2008 02:26:13
 
By Venkatesh Kesari
New Delhi
June 6: The Congress is in a double mind whether or not to seek support from
the H.D. Deve Gowda-led party for a second seat in the Rajya Sabha polls from
Karnataka. This is at a time when its senior leaders are keen to become members
of the Upper House than to contest the coming Lok Sabha polls. Former
Maharashtra governor S.M. Krishna, former Union minister C.K. Jaffer Sharief and
former chief minister M. Veerappa Moily are said to be keen on going to the
Rajya Sabha.
The Congress’ strength in the Karnataka Assembly is 80 and the quota for a
victory is 45. On the other hand, the Janata Dal (Secular) has 28 members in the
state Assembly. The number of Independents is six but all of them are backing
the ruling BJP. Therefore, the Congress can get a second seat only if Mr Deve
Gowda agrees to it.
"We can win one seat on our own but have yet to decide whether we should
contest a second seat," a senior Congress leader said. If party insiders are to
be believed, the Congress can leave a second seat to its leaders who can
"manage" numbers on their own. This is because any association with the Janata
Dal (S) can affect the party prospects politically, they said.
"After all, Deve Gowda will ask some price for a support to our nominee," they
said.
A section of the party wants Mr Krishna, Mr Moily and Mr Sharief to wait for a
year and contest the Lok Sabha elections. This will help the party across the
state.
While Mr Krishna is seen as a top leader in the state, Mr Moily is known for
his proximity to AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi. He is also the chairman of
the AICC media department. On the other hand, Mr Jaffer Sharief is a minority
leader.
Meanwhile, the party high command appears not to be in a mood to appoint former
deputy chief minister Siddharamaiah as the Karnataka PCC president in place of
Mr Mallikarjun Kharge. "Siddharamaiah will be adjusted, given an important
position in the organisation but will not be made the PCC chief ahead of the
general elections.
This is because he joined the party after spending many years in the Janata
Parivar."