Congress launches a year-long organisational mobilisation plan for Karnataka Congress to maintain its rule in the only big state in south where it faces challenges from BJP and JDS.
The agenda for the year-long plan were discussed and approved at a meeting of around 18 senior Congress leaders from Karnataka, including chief minister Siddaramaiah, with Gandhi and AICC general secretary in charge KC Venugopal on Monday. During the meeting, Gandhi also indicated that, all MLAs will not be re nominated, many of the 122 MLAs will have to make way for new ones. The process to finalize the MLAs who will not be re nominated will start soon. Gandhi also cleared that after announcing the new PCC chief, a message will be conveyed to state congress that, Siddaramaiah will be projected as the electoral mascot and that there can be no negotiations on his leadership.
A party insider has confirmed that, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi will be starting the year-long plan from next month after he inaugurates a mega meeting of block-level party functionaries in Bengaluru. The party aims to reach out to everyone from block level to PCC. As part of the plan, senior leaders, including ministers and legislators, will take out a ‘political parikarma’ across 30 districts to organise events to highlight policy initiatives and achievements of the Siddharamaiah government since 2013.
KC Venugopal said that, Rahul Gandhi has ensured unity in the Karnataka Congress to ensure a united fight in the elections.
Soon after the PCC chief is appointed, party committees at different organisational level will also be constituted with a consensus. A party member also confirmed that, Congress will have no alliance or understanding with JDS and the party will fight BJP and JDS alike in the assembly polls.