Bengaluru: The Congress in Karnataka, which is surely basking over its victory in twin by-polls is now gearing up to arm the party for the 2018 Assembly polls.
It is said that the All India Congress Committee has given free hands to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to do what it takes to win the assembly elections and as per sources, the first move that the CM is planning is to go in for a rejig at the district-levels of the party cadre.
As the first step, he is concentrating on districts of South Karnataka where party is facing stiff resistance from the JD(S). According to the party sources, in the first phase, CM wants to set party house in order in Mandya, Kolar and Mysuru districts, which are crucial for party’s fortunes.
As part of this strategy, the CM is believed to have met former housing minister HM Ambareesh at his city residence on Wednesday evening and had dinner with his former cabinet colleague.As per sources, the discussion that took place over ‘naati koli saru and ragi mudde’ revolved around Mandya politics in general and Vokkaliga politics in particular.
It is said that the CM is not keen on having Power Minister D K Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga ascending to the post of KPCC President as he wants to make sure that a Lingayat leader gets to this post so as to counter the BJP, which has Lingayat strongman B S Yeddyurappa at the helm of affairs. However, with the aim of wooing the Vokkaliga voters, the CM is now turning to Ambareesh.
“It was a cordial meeting. The CM got assurance from Ambareesh that he will not quit the Congress and will contest from Mandya constituency again in the 2018 election. Both the leaders also discussed about getting JDS rebel MLA Mr. Cheluvaraya Swamy into party fold,” sources confirmed.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Home Minister G Parameshwar met senior Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge on Wednesday and sought his support to continue as the KPCC president till 2018 state assembly election.
