Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 12: Unhappiness that was brewing within since the last four and half years in the minds of some senior leaders of Congress party in the state is coming out into the open. The timing of the development is giving sleepless nights to party leadership as assembly election is only a few months away.

While some party leaders from other parts of the state too have either left the party or expressed anger at the way senior leaders are treated, this time, revolt is specifically evident in north Karnataka regions. Yadgir MLA, Dr A B Malaka Reddy, Afzalpur MLA, Malikayya Guttedar, and Shivanand Patil representing Basavana Bagewadi constituency and several other senior legislators have criticized the style of administration and attitude of party leaders.

Congress chief Parameshwar and CM Siddaramaiah

Many a time, party leaders have accused Siddaramaiah of giving importance to those who migrated into the party, at the cost of veteran, faithful leaders of Congress party. The senior leaders have a grouse about the overlooking of their seniority, sincerity towards the party and rich experience. After the last cabinet reshuffle, grumbling had stopped as the leaders were aware that doors of opportunities were shut. Now that election is round the corner, people have begun to express themselves openly.

Senior party leaders from Hyderbad Karnataka area had become restless after their long-standing demand for recognition of service to the party were overlooked and Priyank Kharge, son of MP, Mallikarjun Kharge, who represents this region, was made a minister. Although Qamarul Islam representing Kalaburagi constituency, who had openly revolted against the chief minister for dropping him from the ministry is no more, the anger of leaders from this region continue to simmer at the raw deal they received from the leadership.

Dr A B Malaka Reddy recently expressed his resentment openly in no uncertain terms. Malikayya Guttedar from Afzalpur too in the recent past had criticized minister, Priayank Kharge's attitude openly, addressing the latter in singular. Shivananda Patil has been often critical of the rule of the party. He has been in constant friction with in-charge minister of Vijayapura district and had recently spoken about step-motherly treatment he is receiving in the matter of distribution of grants.

At a time when some leaders like Janardhana Poojary are openly criticizing the party and several are opposing admission of other party leaders into Congress, the way people like C P Yogeshwar, have been deserting the party has worried Congress party, which is forced to do something to stem the rot.