Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 1: Former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, emerged triumphant again as he succeeded in retaining Raksha Ramaiah as the state youth Congress president. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, D K Shivakumar, had made a strong pitch for replacing Raksha Ramaiah with Mohammed Nalapad, arguing that Nalapad had secured highest votes. Nalapad was denied the seat as he was found ineligible, as he is facing a criminal case. This incident has brought into the fore internal differences of the party and this round of the battle has been won by Siddaramaiah, who backed Raksha Ramaiah's continuation.

Shivakumar had held a conciliation meeting with the purpose of obtaining resignation from Raksha Ramaiah, current incumbent, in December this year and bridging Mohammed Nalapad in his place. But in a development overnight, the Indian Youth Congress announced in its website that Raksha Ramaiah will not be changed and he will continue in that post. The post stated that rumours about making changes in Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress president are being floated and that these are far from true. It added that any change will be announced through the Indian Youth Congress website.

It is said that All India Congress Committee general secretary K C Venugopal called out Congress state in-charge, Krishna Alwar, to inform his displeasure for conducting conciliation meeting. It is said that Rahul Gandhi too is also unhappy about this development.

It is said that Siddaramaiah brought pressure on the high command to continue Raksha Ramaiah in the post. It is learnt that he told the leaders that if he is replaced, wrong message will be conveyed to the people.

Even though Mohammed Nalapad, son of MLA N A Haris, had obtained more votes in the youth Congress president election, on account of technical reasons, he was disqualified and Raksha Ramaiah, who was in the second position, was elevated as the head of the state youth Congress.