Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 10: At a meeting of Congress candidates, who had fought assembly election in vain, was held on Monday July 9, people expressed ire against the understanding entered into by the party with JD(S).

Congress leaders, who all these days were too busy with forming the coalition, expansion of the ministry and initial hiccups, had not been able to bring the defeated candidates together and introspect on the reasons for the party's debacle. In general, no one knew for sure what the party activists felt about the coalition government. On Monday it became clear that party leaders and activists were seething with anger about the coalition formed by their party along with JD(S).

Former minister, A Manju, who attacked Deve Gowda's family, said that he was not here to speak about the politics of vengeance going on between him and Deve Gowda's family. He said in clear cut words that Congress was not right in joining hands with JD(S) and that the party will not reap any benefit out of this alliance. He reportedly warned that this will help JD(S) to grow in strength in Mysuru region.

Inspired by Manju's bold initiative many spoke in the meeting, asking the party not to strike any understanding with JD(S) for the Lok Sabha election. They wanted state-level leaders to prevail on the high command against this possibility. They said that Congress with 80 seats has taken a backseat while JD(S) with 37 seats is in the driver's seat in the state. They said that villages are agog with rumours about this pitiable condition of their party and they feel ashamed to show their faces to the general public.

Congress leaders lent an ear to all these charges, accusations, and advices and did not respond. They however, claimed that the coalition was formed as per the diktats of the party high command. They said that final decision about striking an alliance for Lok Sabha election has not yet been taken and that the opinions expressed here would be brought to the notice of the national leadership of the party. They urged the leaders not to speak to media about any of the controversies, it is gathered.

Siddaramaiah said that opinions given by party leaders have been noted. He said that no one objected to the offer of chief minister's post to JD(S).

Kagodu Thimmappa is said to have pointed out that Congress alone can take on BJP but not others. Some leaders felt that Lingayat religion demand made some of the party candidates to face defeat by a small margin, which was totally against the prediction of the survey. Some indirectly criticized Siddaramaiah by commenting that personal diatribe against Deve Gowda family in Old Mysuru region proved costly for the party.

Many leaders including Kagodu Thimmappa, H Anjaneya, Ashok Pattana and others participated and gave their views. Dr H C Mahadevappa, who is deemed to be a close associate of Siddaramaiah, and JD(S) legislators who revolted against their party and contested as Congress candidates but faced defeat, like Cheluvarayaswamy, were conspicuous
by their absence.