Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 22: At a time when central Congress leaders are busy trying to cement the differences arising in the state among the leaders of the party, fight between the original Congressmen and immigrants has been widening. Senior leaders of the party have begun to openly voice their opinions.

Many senior leaders feel that Siddaramaiah is blocking the efforts to select a new president for KPCC as they think he wants to continue his grip over the party affairs. After Mallikarjun Kharge spoke against him, leaders like Dr G Parameshwar, K H Muniyappa and H K Patil have also spoken in a way that clearly shows their indignation towards Siddaramaiah. The senior leaders have been asserting the need to split the posts of the leader of the opposition in the assembly and leader of the Congress legislature party. Siddaramaiah's adamant stand against splitting these two posts which he currently holds, has come in for strong opposition by former union minister K H Muniyappa too.

Speaking to media persons at his residence in the city on Tuesday January 22, Muniyappa noted that Siddaramaiah has enjoyed powers and statuses in the party continuously since the day he joined the party 14 years back. He said that many leaders who have served the party for 40 years have not got the opportunities which Siddaramaiah got so far.

Muniyappa felt that it is proper to split the posts of the leader of the opposition and leader of the Congress legislature party as the party has a number of senior leaders. He felt that responsibilities and powers should be distributed and only then can the party be built. He said he has already aired similar opinions with the high command of the party. He also revealed that he is an aspirant for the post of KPCC president.

Another senior leader H K Patil, speaking to media persons at Vidhana Soudha, said that the posts of the Congress legislature party and leader of the opposition should be held by different leaders. He pointed out that even during the UPA government at the centre, these two posts were held by different persons, and in Maharashtra too similar practice is being followed. About the proposal reportedly mooted by Siddaramaiah to have four posts of working president for the KPCC, he opined that there is no need for four posts, as one would be sufficient.