Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru 

Bengaluru, Oct 8: The Karnataka Congress will hold its legislature party meeting on October 9, ahead of the assembly session scheduled to be held at Vidhana Soudha from October 10 to 12. 

The October 9 meeting called by Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah aims to formulate an action plan and prepare for the upcoming session. Issues such as flood damage and delay in relief measures by government, cut in allocation of funds to constituencies represented by party MLAs, and also drought in the state are likely to be discussed. 

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However, speculations are rife that the leader of opposition in state assembly will be selected in the upcoming Congress meet. The much sought after post is still vacant and Siddaramaiah being the CLP leader is the key contender. However, voices of approval and dissent can be heard in the party circles. 

Senior Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry was appointed by the party high command to interact with the party leaders in the state and understand on who is apt to handle opposition leader in state assembly and few other vacant posts such as opposition leader in the council, deputy leaders and chief whips in both Houses. Sources say that Mistry on Sunday held one to one consultations with different local leaders and has already submitted his report and a decision may be taken before the assembly session.

Among those who are eyeing for the post are former deputy CM G Parameshwara and Congress leader H K Patil. These leaders along with other Congress seniors had opposed on Siddaramaiah being given the post. 

Meanwhile, a large group of party legislators as a show of strength had met Mistry on Sunday and declared they want Siddaramaiah to be given the post. 

Speaking to a news channel, Siddaramaiah says that the usual tradition is the CLP being made the opposition leader. However, the decision is left to the high command.