The undercurrent of mutual suspicion among grass-roots workers of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) continues to manifest itself in Mysuru and Hassan constituencies, notwithstanding the show of unity among the leaders at the top.
On Monday, for the second time in a week, a Congress meeting in Hassan saw pro-Modi slogans being raised by a section of Congress workers. Meanwhile, JD(S) workers in the neighbouring district of Mysuru openly expressed their disenchantment with their leaders for the tie-up with the Congress.
In the first instance, the differences manifested at a meeting in Udayapura, Channarayapatna taluk, where a few workers chanted “Modi, Modi”, registering their protest against the party’s decision to back the JD(S) candidate in Hassan, Prajwal Revanna of the JD(S). The meeting was convened by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president B. Shivaramu and Bagur Manje Gowda, who contested in Holenarsipur Assembly constituency on Congress ticket last year.
The two leaders had a tough time pacifying the workers. A few workers also raised slogans praising the Congress, resulting in chaos at the meeting.
Such scenes were witnessed earlier at Channarayapatna, Holenarsipur, Arsikere and Belur, where a good number of Congress workers have openly opposed the JD(S) candidate. Former MLA H.M. Vishwanath, who was till recently chairman of the Congress’ district campaign committee, has announced that he will not work for the coalition candidate.
Similarly, the District Congress Committee vice-president. Narayana Gowda. has participated in BJP meetings, ignoring warnings from top party leaders. Furthermore, the party recently removed Manthar Gowda from the post of District Youth Congress president.
In Mysuru, a few JD(S) activists gathered in front of the house of district in-charge Minister G.T. Deve Gowda and had an argument over extending support to the Congress. The crux of the argument was that they had bitterly fought that party all these years, and though the leaders may have compromised, it was difficult for the local workers to do so.
Siddaramaiah’s appeal
With disgruntled Congress leaders in Mandya district continuing to support Independent candidate Sumalatha for the Lok Sabha polls, Congress-JD(S) coalition coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah has requested the electorate and leaders to support JD(S) candidate Nikhil K.
In a one-minute-21-second video, released by the JD(S) in Bengaluru on Monday, the former Chief Minister urged workers of both parties to work together to ensure Mr. Nikhil’s victory. The veteran Congress leader said he would canvass for Mr. Nikhil along with former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in Mandya on April 12. In the video, Mr. Siddaramaiah said Mr. Nikhil was contesting as the coalition candidate and voters should bless him.