From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 12: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Chief D K Shivakumar strongly demanded that Rahul Gandhi should formally assume leadership of the party accepting the desire of Congress party workers all over the country.

“Rahul Gandhi is presently working as a Congress leader. The party workers are demanding that he should become the Congress president once again as he is the most suitable and ideal person to lead the party,’’ Shivakumar said.

However, while speaking to the media, the KPCC president said election of the Congress party president has to follow certain procedures and formalities, which must be followed and Rahul Gandhi must be duly elected as Congress president.

Answering questions on the reported move to elevate former Chief Minister and Congress opposition leader in the State Assembly Siddaramaiah to national politics as a party functionary, Shivakumar said no discussion on the subject has taken place in the State.

“As of now, it is just speculation. We don’t want to interfere in the process. It is for the party and the leader of the Congress legislature party (Siddaramaiah) to decide,’’ he said.

On the decision of the BJP to prevail upon the rebel candidates in the by-election to withdraw from the contest, Shivakumar said it is their strategy and said the Congress party is not bothered about their candidates. “We are confident of winning both the seats,’’ he declared.

Answering a question on the allegation by JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy that Siddaramaiah was responsible for pulling down of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, Shivakumar sarcastically remarked that the person who levelled the allegation must be asked for details. ``As far as we are concerned, it is a closed chapter,’’ he said.

Asked about the IT roads on the firm Design Box, which is supposed to be handling the social media of Shivakumar, the KPCC Chief said: “Who told you they are handling my social media account? They are professional persons, who sometimes help and advise me. They will give suitable replies to the IT people. After ascertaining facts, I will give more details,’’ he said.

Shivakumar criticised the State Government for its failure in ensuring sufficient coal stocks and plunging the State in a power crisis.

Earlier, JD(S) leader Ashok Poojary from Gokak in Belagavi district called on Shivakumar at his residence and discussed with him.

Former Minster and senior party leader Motamma and former minister Umashree also called on the KPCC president at his residence.