BANGALORE: As the party prepares to receive the Rahul Gandhi-led "Bharat Jodo Yatra" into the state on September 30, the long-simmering conflict inside the Karnataka branch of the Congress has risen to the forefront.
State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar said on Saturday that the party will not take into consideration the so-called leaders who are occupied with attending weddings and ribbon-cuttings. "I want numbers. I want to win the elections. The leaders have to go to the booth level and work," He said.
Congress officials claim that it is a clear message to party leaders who are marching in front of Siddaramaiah, the head of the opposition. The state unit of the Congress is preparing to make the "Bharat Jodo Yatra" a tremendous success. It also hopes to build on the enthusiasm created by Siddaramaiah's 75th birthday and "Swatantra Nadige," which came after (walk for freedom).
Shivakumar also expressed his anger toward R.V. Deshapande, one of the leading Congressmen. "He was to send 5,000 party members on the Bharat Jodo Yatra, as I had requested. He declined, though. What if decision-makers reject Rahul Gandhi as a partner? Everyone would be killed,"he said.
He said outright that the party leaders are not supporting him at the appropriate pace. Reacting to it, Deshapande said, "he has too much speed".
The state Congress unit intends to organise 20,000 people per day to participate in the yatra. The call has also been given to bring along cultural teams.
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