Congress: No induction without local consent

KPCC prez Shivakumar claims several requests have been received from leaders of other parties for joining the Congress.

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar said the opinion of local leaders would be obtained before the induction of leaders from other political parties into the Congress Party.

Talking to reporters after the induction of former JD(S) MLC Beml Kantharaju into the Congress Party here on Friday, he said several applications have been received from leaders of other parties wishing to join the Congress. The applications were pending before him as well as before the committee concerned.

Presently, those are being inducted whose names are okayed by leaders in the districts concerned. A consensus is required for the induction of any leader into the Congress and a decision would be taken only after discussing it with district level leaders and party workers concerned. “Anybody who wishes to come to the Congress must join unconditionally by accepting the party leadership and ideology”.

Shivakumar also said District Congress Committees have been given powers to induct members of taluk and zilla panchayats of other parties into the Congress Party. Even this rule has been extended to local MLAs’ and former legislators in their respective constituencies. The name of Beml Kantharaj was cleared by the Tumakuru District Congress Committee and after that, the PCC decided to induct him. Kantharaj was elected to the Legislative Council from Tumakuru and has mass support in Tumakuru and Bengaluru rural districts.

Membership drive:

The Congress membership drive has begun and training meetings are being held in Delhi on Friday and Saturday. Permission has been given for the membership drive through online and offline modes. After a gap of 12 years, AICC President Sonia Gandhi has allowed the drive and it must be taken advantage of by one and all. The membership drive is very important as it will help the party appoint block presidents, district presidents and also decide on tickets for MLA seats. The membership registration details would be considered for appointment to many party posts. In case of three or four aspirants for one seat, the membership drive details would be considered while deciding tickets. Around 300 members can be enrolled in each booth. Leaders must visit every house in their respective booths and enroll new members, he added.

Shivakumar also clarified that the party would not assure tickets to anyone as it would be decided by leaders in due consultation with party workers. Everyone must work in unison and bring the party back to power in the state.

Opposition Leader Siddaramaiah, former Deputy Chief Minister Dr.G.Parameshwar and others were present. Newlyinducted Kantharaj was given the party flag as a mark of his induction into the Congress.