The Hindu : MLA's 'move' to re-join Cong. opposed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

MLA's 'move' to re-join Cong. opposed

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE MAY 1. The reported re-entry into the Congress Legislature Party sought by the independent MLA, V. Somanna, triggered demonstrations in front of the Congress Bhavan here today by supporters and opponents of the same.

Mr. Somanna, a former Janata Dal Minister, was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Binnypet constituency in Bangalore as an independent.

He later joined the Congress as an associate member. But in the run-up to the Lok Sabha byelection from Kanakapura held in February 2002, Mr. Somanna distanced himself from the Congress, and worked for the election of the former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda (who won the byelection). However, he did not formally join the Janata Dal (Secular) Legislature Party. A section of the Press had written that Mr. Somanna had sought re-entry into the Congress.

The first demonstration held today was by opponents of Mr. Somanna's entry into the Congress.

It is stated that some Congress leaders made use of the people mobilised for the May Day function organised by the KPCC to protest against the entry of Mr. Somanna.

A Congress councillor of Bangalore, Jayaram, and some others blocked traffic on Queen's Road as part of their demonstration.

The KPCC President, Janardhana Poojary, who was returning to the Congress Bhavan after addressing the May Day function, was confronted by demonstrators.

Those ranged against Mr. Somanna are stated to have demanded that he should not be readmitted into the party under any circumstances.

He could not be allowed to enter and exit from the Congress at his will. They blamed an AICC leader for encouraging Mr. Somanna's re-entry into the Congress, even though it meant harming the interests of the party workers and leaders in the Binnypet Assembly constituency.

Mr. Poojary heard their viewpoint, and said that it would be kept in mind when a decision on admitting Mr. Somanna was taken.

In a counter move, a few Congress councillors of Bangalore, led by Lakshminarayana, demonstrated in front of the Congress Bhavan pleading for admitting their leader (Mr. Somanna) into the party.

They outdid those who had protested against his entry, by mobilising a larger number of people for the demonstration.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Somanna denied having sought entry into the Congress. Blaming the Congress MLC, M. Krishnappa, for organising the protest, he challenged him to contest any election and get elected.

He said Mr. Krishnappa had entered the Legislature (Legislative Council) through the side door, whereas he was elected by a handsome majority as an independent on the strength of his services to the people of Binnypet.

Mr. Krishnappa owed his rise in politics to Mr. Deve Gowda though he was now in the Congress.

As regards himself, Mr. Somanna said that he became an associate member of the Congress at the time of the elections to the BMP Council as the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, requested him to support the party candidates.

After the election, he persuaded 11 councillors to join the Congress and strengthened the party in the BMP Council.

Mr. Somanna also challenged the councillor, Mr. Jayaram, to resign his seat and seek re-election. Mr. Jayaram owed his election to his support, Mr. Somanna claimed.

Dismissing the demonstration against him, Mr.Somanna said that those who took part in it were "slum dwellers'' and hardly knew anything as to why they were being asked to raise slogans. He also distanced himself from the demonstration held in his favour, and said that he had not told anyone to plead his case.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

MLA's 'move' to re-join Cong. opposed

UNESCO team to visit Hampi

Dangerous tusker captured at Polibetta

CBI clears former State IT chief

State likely to get Rs. 80 cr. NCDC aid

Toranagallu section: Vedike plans rail roko on May 7