Bellary result unexpected, says Veerabhadrappa

By Our Staff Correspondent

BELLARY, MAY 6. Mr. Allum Veerabhadrappa, President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, on Sunday ruled out any sabotage in Bellary City Municipality where the party suffered a setback.

Mr. Veerbhadrappa, who is on a two-day tour of the district campaigning for the party candidate, Mr. Niranjan Naidu, in the byelection to the Legislative Council from the Bellary Local Authorities Constituency, was responding to questions from presspersons here.

Stating that the result was unexpected, Mr. Veerabhadrappa said he would call for detailed information from the DCC President on this. At a time when the BJP had suffered serious reverses in the civic elections in the State, the party winning more seats in Bellary CMC was astonishing.

Mr. Veerbhadrappa did not give a reply when asked whether the verdict was against the Congress or against Mr. M.Diwakar Babu, Minister of State for Rural Development, who represents Bellary and was incharge of the elections in the city. When persisted, he said the verdict was certainly not against the party. ``A meeting will be convened shortly to discuss the outcome and I will have to send a report to the party High Command about the outcome in Bellary. If necessary, an observer from the KPCC would be sent to look into the matter,'' he said.

Asked whether the failure to select candidates had resulted in the party not performing well, Mr. Veerbhadrappa said he had just returned to the city and could come to a conclusion only after discussing the matter with all concerned. However, he admitted that the responsibility of selecting candidates was given to Mr. Diwakar Babu.

To another question, he said the BJP would be allowed to gain control of the municipal administration in the city. ``In case they are not ready, then we are ready,'' he said.

Appointments

The KPCC President said that the appointment of chairpersons for various boards and corporations had been delayed because of the Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna's busy schedule. As many as 9,000 applications had been received for about 80 posts. A decision in this regard would be taken very soon as even Ms. Sonia Gandhi, AICC President, had given instructions to expedite the matter.

With regard to his occupying two posts, Mr. Veerbhadrappa said that it was for the party High Command to take a decision in the matter. ``I have already made it clear that I am ready to quit as minister,'' he said.

Mr. Veerabhadrappa expressed his confidence that the party candidate, Mr. Niranjan Naidu would win the byelection to the Council.

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