Top Congress leaders from the State met party president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on Sunday to discuss the post-poll scenario for the party and its coalition with Janata Dal (Secular).
Coming ahead of the results of Lok Sabha election on Thursday, the meeting also delved upon controversial statements issued by leaders from both the Congress and the JD(S) that could affect the smooth running of the government.
In the post-poll scenario, sources said, the leaders discussed strategies to ward off any threat of poaching by the BJP. “State leaders believe that the threat of poaching is likely to increase after the results. Strategies to avoid such a situation, which could destabilise the JD(S)- Congress government, were also discussed,” party sources said.
“The political situation on the ground was discussed, especially the statements issued by leaders perceived to be followers of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and by JD(S) leaders, including A.H. Vishwanath and former Minister Basavaraj Horatti,” said a source close to Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
The meeting was attended by Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka K.C. Venugopal, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao, Mr. Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and Mr. Shivakumar. Soon after the meeting, Mr. Rao tweeted: “Discussed how to strengthen the party and the coalition government. Results of May 23rd are going to give us a huge boost.” In another tweet, he said: “In this context, it’s my earnest appeal to leaders of both Congress and JD(S) in Karnataka, to refrain from making any controversial statements in public. Our foremost goal at this juncture is to help oust the BJP from power at the Centre. Let us focus all our energies on that.”
Sources said that Mr. Gandhi urged the leaders not to speak against the coalition and directed action against those who do so.