Rahul Gandhi pulls up ministers for Congress’ dismal show

BENGALURU: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s “dismal” performance in the LS elections in Karnataka and sought a report from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DCM DK Shivakumar, according to sources.

Action against the ministers, who failed in ensuring the victory of the party candidates, is likely soon. Rahul also expressed his discontent over a dozen ministers’ failure to ensure good leads for the party candidates in their respective assembly constituencies, the sources said.

Rahul interacted with the newly-elected party MPs and defeated candidates at the KPCC office. Later, he met the ministers and took those, who failed in ensuring the victory of the party candidates, to task.

A report on the party’s defeat in Chitradurga, Kolar, Tumakuru and Bagalkot constituencies because of internal bickering was with Rahul. AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala had acted upon it, according to a source.

“Rahul discussed this with all ministers. The high command has sought a report on the election results. We will discuss with all our leaders and submit it,” Shivakumar told reporters.

He said Rahul expected 5-6 seats more for the party in the state. He along with Siddaramaiah will take part in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. After returning, they will prepare an action plan to resolve all issues within the party, he added.

Shivakumar, however, clarified that the impact of five guarantees on the party’s performance did not come up for discussion. Rahul asked the newly-elected MPs to raise issues related to Karnataka, especially the “step-motherly” treatment by the Centre, in the Lok Sabha. “Congress has improved its tally to 99 and with the support of an independent, the party MPs should make the most of it in the Parliament,” Shivakumar said quoting Rahul.

Home Minister Dr Parameshwara, a senior leader and party loyalist, despite being in Bengaluru did not attend the meeting. He must be upset over the party’s defeat in his home district of Tumakuru. But there was no formal invitation to the ministers and this may be the reason for many of them not attending it, a Congress leader said.