Prepare for local body polls in K'taka: DKS to workers

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar on Tuesday called upon Congress party leaders and workers to prepare for the local body elections.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahana g ara Palike (BBMP) elections are due since 2020 but have been delayed on account of the pandemic and the delimitation of wards besides setting of the women’s quota in 50 per cent of the seats.

Speaking at the death anniversary commemoration of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said: “The local body elections will be held very soon and hence party leaders and workers must make necessary preparations for it.”

“Many leaders such as Pandit Nehru, Rajagopalachari, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, BD Jatti and Mallikarjuna Kharge started their political careers through local body elections and then were elevated to the national level.

A time has come to reconstitute various wings of the Party. Priority will be given to those who have worked hard for the party. There is no place for those who are in politics for the privilege.

Party workers can stake claim for positions once they have mobilized enough votes for the party at the booth level. It is not important how long I will stay as KPCC president; I will build a strong base for the party before I go. We will prepare an action plan for it in the next three to four months, be prepared for it,” Shivakumar said.

He also recalled Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination through a suicide bombing at the hands of the Tamil Tigers terrorist organisation, adding that the former PM had made immense contributions to the country.