Siddu wanted Parameshwar out?

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The game of one-upmanship is gaining steam a year ahead of the Assembly polls—both in the BJP and the Congress. Former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa’s never ending attempts to eject Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda from his seat are now no secret. In the Congress, it was Opposition leader in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah who made a bid to oust Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dr G. Parameshwar and failed.

Siddu, who spent a good part of his political life in the Janata pariwar, jointed the Congress six years ago and was rewarded with the post of Opposition leader only after Mallikarjun Kharge decided to move on to Delhi. As recently as last week, SiddU reportedly tried his best to occupy Dr Parameshwar’s seat knowing quite well that the KPCC president would play a pivotal role ahead of the Assembly polls.

Much to his discomfiture, the high command reportedly did not show any inclination to replace Dr Parameshwar and instead told Siddaramaiah to continue functioning as Opposition leader. The reason, according to central leaders was that Dr Parameshwar is the only Dalit PCC president in the country. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a highly placed source in the party claimed that Siddaramaiah held discussions with none other than Congress president Sonia Gandhi herself on the subject. "Siddaramaiah met Mrs Gandhi during the tussle between him and Dr Parameshwar on whether the tour of drought-hit areas should take precedence over the Congressge Banni rally. Mrs Gandhi favoured Siddaramiah's suggestion on the tour of drought affected places but rejected his request for removing Dr Parameshwar," the source added.

Siddu had his reasons for pressing for Dr Parameshwar’s removal. He was worried if Dr Parameshwar, who is close to external affairs minister S.M. Krishna, would make way for the latter if Mr Krishna decides to rejoin state politics. Knowing that this would seal his hopes of becoming CM, the Kuruba leader felt he should take over the post before Mr Krishna arrived on the scene, sources said.

"It is a well known fact that Mr Krishna had proposed Dr Parameshwar for the KPCC president’s post. With Congress leaders planning a mega event to celebrate Mr Krishna’s completion of five years in public life, Siddu fears a comeback by Mr Krishna. The best way to counter this would be to become KPCC president and get into a position of strength ahead of the 2013 polls," the source explained.