Shun factionalism, work unitedly to help Cong win polls, say leaders

Dharwad: Expressing concern over the diminishing influence of the Congress across the country, functionaries of the ‘Grand Old Party’ called on the cadre and leaders alike to work unitedly to increase its imprint. Leaders were exhorted to bury differences with their party colleagues, shun factionalism, which would help the Congress put on a good show in the forthcoming assembly elections in various states and in the Lok Sabha elections of 2024.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president and MLC Saleem Ahmed, one of the speakers at the Nava Sankalp Chintan Shivir organised at a resort in Dharwad on Sunday, pointed to the uphill task confronting the party in North Karnataka, where it has been losing ground over the years. “There is a need to galvanise the party cadre and the leaders need to start working on reviving the Congress’s fortunes in the region on a war-footing. We have to work for the betterment and welfare of the people. We must keep the electorate informed of what is happening in the country, and regain their confidence,” Ahmed said.
The KPCC working president emphasised the need to take up cudgels against the ‘corrupt and authoritarian’ government at the Centre. Trying to downplay rumours of a wedge in the Karnataka Congress unit between KPCC chief DK Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah, Ahmed said, “The Congress will fight the forthcoming elections under a collective leadership. There is a need to safeguard the values of the Constitution.”
All India Congress Committee (AICC) member Deepak Chinchore, meanwhile, said that every loyal worker of the party had the right to aspire to the CM’s post. “Once the results of the election are announced, the legislators, along with the party high command, will decide on who should lead the government. The Congress believes in unity in diversity; there are no factions in the party,” Deepak said.
The participants deliberated on a variety of topics such as political affairs, state of agriculture, economy, women empowerment, education and employment. After thorough deliberations, committees were constituted to frame the party’s policy on each such issue.
Leader of the opposition in the legislative council, BK Hariprasad, former chairman of the council Veeranna Mattikatti, IG Sanadi, DR Patil, NH Konaraddi, Hanumanthappa Alkod, Santosh Lad, MLA Srinivas Mane, Vinay Kulkarni and the Dharwad District Congress president Anilkumar Patil, and Altaf Hallur were among those who participated in the event.