Priority is to build Cong in K'taka as cadre based party: DKShi

Bengaluru: Building the Congress in Karnataka as a cadre-based party with discipline was his priority, newly appointed state unit president D K Shivakumar said on Monday. Shivakumar was on March 11 appointed as KPCC chief after the party suffered virtual vacuum for nearly three months since the resignation of Dinesh Gundu Rao after the Congress” rout in the assembly bypolls in December.

“Taking everyone together, we (he and his team) want to strengthen the party”s foundation, we want to give strength to karyakartas (workers),” Shivakumar told reporters here.

He said the intention is to build the party as cadre based party and not as a mass based one. “Four of us (Shivakumar and three working presidents) have decided to discuss and prepare a programme in this regard. This is our first priority. We are not worried about numbers or quantity on our side, it can be changed anytime,” he said.

“Quality and discipline is my priority and will function keeping it in mind,” he added. The party has also appointed Satish Jharkiholi and Saleem Ahammed as unit working presidents, along with Eashwar Khandre, who is currently holding the position.

Shivakumar, who has been meeting several state party leaders in the last couple of days, on Monday held discussions with the three working presidents for the first time.

Stating that media has been interpreting in its own way on the party”s prospects, Shivakumar said, AICC president Sonia Gandhi along with Rahul Gandhi and several state and central leaders have put an end to it by showing trust in him and also has given a new team in the form of three working presidents.

“This is not an authority or power, but a responsibility given to us, keeping trust in us,” he said.

Citing political developments in the country, Shivakumar alleged that the BJP was trying to change the “map” (political map).

“The Congress is not here only for power, this party has its own responsibility. Congress alone can keep this country united and Gandhi family can only keep the congress united, no one can change this,” he said.

The new KPCC chief also said he along with the working presidents, leaders of opposition in both Houses , and senior leaders, will meet Sonia and Rahul and other party leaders after the assembly and parliamentary session.

Shivakumar also urged the government to effectively control the spread of coronavirus in the state.