After a brief lull in the state unit of Congress, a section of Vokkaliga leaders led by former working president, D. K. Shivakumar, has started lobbying for elevation of former external affairs minister, S. M. Krishna, as president of pradesh Congress committee.
Several leaders have launched a SMS campaign—Bring Krishna as KPCC chief to bring glorious days back to Congress in the state. This campaign, however, would embarrass pradesh Congress committee president Dr G. Parameshwar, who also belongs to the camp of Mr Krishna.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior party leader said, “We are launching this campaign only to protect Congress in the state. Dr Parameshwar is a lightweight when compared with Mr Krishna or Union labour minister, Mallikarjuna Kharge. When Mr Kharge failed to bring the Congress back to power, how could Dr Parameshwar be able to do it? Therefore, the time has come for Mr Krishna to take charge.”
The leader, however, clarified that Mr Krishna has not given his approval for such a campaign. The leaders would continue to campaign in support of him till the word reaches Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, he added.
Meanwhile, sources in the party said they were happy to see Mr Shivakumar take the lead in launching such a campaign besides organizing a dinner meeting of "like minded" Congress legislators on Thursday and leading delegation of city legislators to Mr Krishna's residence on Saturday. “Though Mr Krishna has made it amply clear on a number of occasions that he will accept any role offered by Mrs Gandhi and has also denied that he will replace Dr Parameshwar, Mr Shivakaumr and several Vokkaliga leaders like Ramaliga Reddy seem to have made up their mind to lobby for his appointment as pradesh Congress committee chief,” the sources added.