Not sure how long Parameshwara will be KPCC prez: Siddaramaiah

Bangalore, Oct 30: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday took a jibe at Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC)?president G Parameshwara, saying the fact that the latter had completed four years in office shows he has the “blessings of party president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi.”

Parameshwara has been upset with the party for not making him the deputy chief minister, and Siddaramaiah is strongly opposed to creating that post.

The KPCC president openly criticised the Siddaramaiah government recently and called the Anna Bhagya scheme “a blunder”. Siddaramaiah, who had so far refrained from making any remarks about Parameshwara, said the Congress party had been winning all elections ever since Parameshwara became the KPCC president. But it is unclear how long he will remain at the helm, the chief minister said.

On Tuesday, Siddaramaiah had said that Parameshwara did not appear to have sufficient information while making remarks about the government. “I have spoken to him about this. Perhaps, while speaking to the media, he did not have sufficient information on the subject. The Anna Bhagya scheme is a success story of this government. The success rate is 90 per cent,” he stated.

Speaking to reporters at his home on Wednesday, Parameshwara sought to play down his differences with Siddaramaiah.

“I do not have disagreements with him. Developing the party is my priority. I never aspired for power. The party has given me enough power. It is up to the high command to give me a position or not,” he added.

Delhi visit put off

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah and Parameshwara cancelled their scheduled visit to Delhi as AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Digvijay Singh, is not in town. Both of them were set to meet central leaders to get their approval for appointments to various boards and corporations.

Lunch cancelled

The KPCC postponed a scheduled function to lay the foundation stone for the Congress Bhavan off Queen's Road, in the wake of the death of senior leader V S Koujalagi.

A?lunch he was to host for party leaders on his completing four years in office was also cancelled.

Parameshwara, who later met KPCC office-bearers and district party presidents, said the Congress high command had ordered the reshuffling of the KPCC.

A total of 1,116 names have been shortlisted for appointments to boards, corporations and urban development authorities, he added.