BANGALORE: KPCC President G Parameshwara warned of “stringent disciplinary action” against Congress leaders who criticise their central leadership.
Speaking to reporters at the KPCC office on Tuesday, he appealed to party colleagues and ministers not to speak to the media about the party’s poor performance in the Maharashtra and Haryana assembly polls.
His warning came in the wake of a critical tweet by Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, and adverse comments by former MP H Vishwanath.
Those criticising the central leadership have enjoyed one or the other responsibility in the party and the government, and should speak with restraint, Parameshwara said.
“If they have anything to convey, they can do so in party forums,” he advised.
He said issues relating to the party’s leadership would be discussed at its central working committee.
‘Not a Hurdle’
Parameshwara denied the suggestion that his desire to become deputy chief minister was holding up the expansion of the Cabinet.
“Whether I join the Cabinet or not would have to be decided at the high command level,” he said.
Referring to the delay in appointments to the state boards and corporations, he said he had already had a preliminary discussion with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and together they would go to Delhi and get approvals from the high command. “There will be no further delay on the issue,” he declared.
He also did not rule out the possibility of accommodating senior MLAs and defeated candidates as heads of boards and corporations.
Where Did the Tweet Go?
Dinesh Gundu Rao, who had invited the wrath of the party by describing the central leaders as “effete”, quietly withdrew his comment on Tuesday.
The tweet, which appeared on Monday, was deleted following adverse responses from party colleagues, including Parameshwara.
After the Congress suffered serious setbacks in the Maharashtra and Haryana elections, Rao tweeted: “@INCIndia will learn from its losses .. time to strengthen committed grassroot leaders and weed out effete leaders operating out from Delhi.”
Contacted by Express, Rao claimed he had not deleted the comment.