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Karnataka Congress chief G Parameshwara on Friday said that the absence of a chief ministerial candidate will not affect the party’s prospects in the Assembly elections early next year, saying it has not been the convention even at the time of Devaraj Urs.
“In Karnataka, at no point of time Congress has ever declared a chief ministerial candidate. Even in the times of Devaraj Urs — one of the tallest Congress leaders — we never declared chief ministerial candidate before polls,” he told news agency PTI.
The BJP has already said that the party’s State unit President and former CM BS Yeddyurappa will be its chief ministerial candidate.
Parameshwara said that while not declaring a CM candidate is a convention in Karnataka, the Congress had exceptions as well, like Amarinder Singh in Punjab and Virbhadra Singh in Himachal Pradesh.
‘I don’t feel sidelined’
Replying to a query, Parameshwara denied that he felt sidelined after the high-command announced it would contest the Assembly polls under Siddaramaiah’s leadership.
“Party president is supreme when the party is in opposition, but when it is running the government, the onus lies on Chief Minister to deliver programmes of the party. So, he is in a better position to lead the party on or before the polls,” he said. Moreover, Parameshwara said the ultimate authority lies with the high-command, a reference to the Congress’ central leadership, which would, as per convention, approve the chief minister’s name as recommended by the Congress Legislative party.
“If CLP elects Siddaramaiah and high-command approves it, we will accept it. High-command is supreme for us. There will absolutely be no problem,” he said.
Credits Siddaramaiah
Asked whether he is satisfied with Siddaramaiah’s performance as Chief Minister, Parameshwara said whether somebody likes it or not, he deserves all the credit.
“Shouldn’t I be giving credit to Siddaramaiah’s government? I, myself was a part of the government as Home Minister for 20 months. Can I now say he doesn’t deserve the accolades? No, I cannot do that,” he said.
About allegations against Karnataka party in-charge and MP KC Venugopal’s connection with the Kerala solar scam, and its impact on poll prospects, Parameshwara said he is not a contestant, but a strategist.
“If he (Venugopal) is an electoral contestant, then, yes, let the entire BJP leadership go and defeat him. He is a strategist giving us suggestions to win the election. We know to handle bad press and BJP tirade,” he added.
If CLP elects Siddaramaiah and high-command approves it, we will accept it. High-command is supreme for us. There will absolutely be no problem
Shouldn’t I be giving credit to Siddaramaiah’s government? I, myself was a part of the government as Home Minister for 20 months. Can I now say he doesn’t deserve the accolades? No, I cannot do that
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