New Delhi: Amid internal tussle in the Karnataka Congress, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting ended on a tense note with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing concerns of the party leaders and disagreements among ministers.
During the meet, the AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala warned party MLAs and leaders in Karnataka and emphasised on the need for unity and maintain discipline in the party.
Prioritise party’s interests: Surjewala
Surjewala advised party leaders and ministers to resolve any issues internally and adhere to the party high command’s decisions. The AICC General Secretary also reminded the MLAs to prioritise party’s interests and maintain a coordinated approach in government matters.
CM Siddaramaiah allays concerns
During the CLP meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced steps to ensure equitable funding for legislators irrespective of party affiliation including BJP and JDS. CM said the funding seeks to bridge development disparities across constituencies.
CM Siddaramaiah also promised to hike funding in the upcoming budget and promised to convene another legislative assembly session before presenting the budget.
Rift between ministers
During the meeting, a verbal spat broke out between Ministers Lakshmi Hebbalkar and Satish Jarkiholi over the construction of the Belagavi District Congress Committee (DCC) office. Hebbalkar claimed credit for building the party office during her first term as a minister.
However, minister Satish Jarkiholi countered Hebbalkar claiming that he facilitated the land for the office and contributed Rs 3 crore for the project. As the two minister involved in a heated exchange, the senior leaders including DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, and Surjewala intervened and advised both the ministers to drop the issue for now and work for party’s betterment in Belagavi and other districts.
After the meeting, Surjewala left without addressing the media leaving speculation whether all was fine in the party.
