A section of Congress leaders from Karnataka has urged the party high command not to let any one get a free hand in finalising candidates for the Assembly elections.

Instead, they want the exercise to be a “broad-based” one to ensure wider representation for different castes and regions. These leaders expressed apprehension that a few people may “hijack” the selection process. The leaders, who include many ministers and senior functionaries, came to the capital to enquire about the health of Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge, who is recuperating after a knee surgery. Later, they met the party central leaders.

Their main worry is that many former Janata Dal leaders, who were welcomed into the party by chief minister Siddaramaiah, may be favoured in a big way. For a long time, they said, they have told the high command that Siddaramaiah has always given importance to such leaders as they had worked with him in the then Janata Parivar.

Though the high command decided that G Parameshwara should continue as Karmatala Pradesh Congress Committee president ignoring the chief minister's proposal for a change, these leaders say Parameshwara is unable to protect their “interest.” So much so that they are upset with the recently released list of new KPCC office-bearers. “This list itself indicates that there is no wider representation,” a party leader said.

Newly appointed AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, who is in charge of Karnataka, however, sought to hold consultations with all the district officer-bearers and vowed to take all the leaders into confidence.

With the chief minister saying he would fill up three vacancies in his Cabinet soon, these leaders have impressed upon the top brass that only “loyal leaders” should be accommodated first.

Pick Assembly poll candidates after consultations, say state Cong leaders