Bengaluru: After putting up a pathetic show in the Assembly by-polls in the state, Congress leader Siddraramaiah stepped down from the post of Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. KPCC Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao also resigned, owning up responsibility for the election wash out.
While there is no clarity over whether the high command will accept the resignation or not, it is now said that several senior Congress leaders from the state have urged the high command to accept the resignations.
This is not the first time the state leaders have asked for a change in leadership. Even in the past, a section of leaders had put forth the demand, but the Congress high command seemed to have had vested a lot of faith on Siddaramaiah. But, with the Congress biting the dust in the by-poll, the leaders have been demanding changes in the party. It is said that leaders BK Hariprasad, GC Chandrashekar and KH Muniyappa have urged the high command to accept the resignation of both the leaders.
The Congress leaders say that the two never made an attempt to win the confidence of all the leaders and take them along. Due to their indifferent attitude, many loyal Congressmen have felt sidelined.
The leaders, who met AICC interim-chief Sonia Gandhi, have said that the Congress could have won at least five to six seats if Siddaramaiah and Rao had made efforts to work with the rest of the leaders within the party, rather than working in isolation. They have said that Siddaramaiah’s adamant and arrogant approach while selecting candidates has also done a lot of harm.
Citing the Assembly election defeat and a similar performance in the by-polls, the leaders have urged for a change in leadership immediately.
Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah has said that he is sure about his decision to step down. “I am aware that there are many who are unhappy with me. I will work as an ordinary party worker henceforth,” he said.
