Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Mar 5: It is reliably learnt that Congress party high command from New Delhi has told senior Congress leader and former union minister Janardhana Poojary not to speak anything against the state Congress government in public.

Poojary has been criticising the state government and chief minister Siddaramaiah openly in the recent past in public mainly through press meets.

Congress national president Sonia Gandhi, on behalf of the party, met Poojary in New Delhi and explained him the party stance.

It is said that state leadership had complained to the high command regarding the dissidence of senior leaders Jaffer Sharief, H Vishwanath and Janardhana Poojary. The high command was told that these developments embarrassed the Congress leaders. Poojary who was using the party office to criticise the chief minister later started doing it from the press club. But no ways he could be stopped.

While dealing with the issue of three senior leaders, it is said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi spoke to Poojary separately and told him to express his views in private and at party forums. She explained to him that if he chose to openly criticise the government, it would have negative impact on the party prospects in the Assembly elections. Sonia said Poojary was free to discuss everything with state Congress and give suggestions, but if there is anything against the state leadership, he could always approach the high command.

It is also claimed that Poojary briefed Sonia about developments in state politics and expressed his displeasure in some administrative matters.