Congress convention in Hassan on December 5: DCM

Bengaluru, Dec 2: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar today clarified that the Congress convention would be held on December 5th in Hassan under the banner of the party.

Speaking to reporters after a preparatory meeting at the KPCC office, he said, “Many leaders of the party have expressed the intention to hold the Congress party convention in Hassan. All the ministers and district in charge ministers are making necessary preparations. Many organisations and communities have supported this convention and welcome their support.”

“AICC leaders have directed us to organise a programme on protection of the Constitution and developments in the country. We held a preparatory meeting at KPCC office with the leaders and office bearers of four districts. All leaders of the party will be invited to the convention,” he added.

“We will invite all those who are championing the cause of the Constitution. We will create awareness about false propaganda in the convention. The people have already taught a lesson to the people who are spreading rumours about the state government. We will organise one or the other programme at district headquarters in the next two months,” he said.

Party organisation
“We will strengthen the party organisation to keep the momentum of the by-election victory. We will soon hold events at Sandur and Shiggavi to express our gratitude. We have instructed Yogeshwar and DK Suresh to hold a similar event in Channapatna on a Sunday in December,” he said.

Q&A
Asked about statements of some Congress leaders that there was no connection between the convention and the party and the change in the structure, he said, “If the structure was not finalised, how can it change? We have discussed this with the CM, AICC President and AICC General Secretary.”

Asked about a meeting of some ministers with Mysuru district Party President, he said, “This meeting was finalised in the last minute. They are holding a meeting with our permission. Like the journalists are not bigger than the media house, politicians are not bigger than the party.”

Asked about the anonymous letter which was sent to the High Command, he said, “I don’t know anything about the letter. I don’t know who is spreading this rumour. No one has discussed this issu with me.”

Asked about Minister Chaluvaraya Swamy leaving the meeting early, he said, “He left the meeting early as he had a pre-scheduled preparatory meeting of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in the district. He shared his thoughts in the meeting before leaving.”

ZP and TP elections soon
Asked if the convention was being organised in view of the ZP and TP elections, he said, “The elections will be held soon. We have discussed this in the Cabinet meeting. We are preparing for a February election.”

Asked if the convention would be conducted across the state, he said, “We have do it across the state. After the Hassan convention, we have a big programme in Belagavi. We will share more information on the programe after a meeting tomorrow.”

Asked if Cabinet expansion would take place, he said, “I am only the KPCC President and DCM and not a CM. There is no discussion on that right now and there is no need as well. The CM has already replied to this question.”

Asked if he was saying that the KPCC President’s post was not vacant, he said, “I have told it in my language, you can interpret it in your own way.”

Asked if an FIR has been filed against Chandrashekaranatha Swamiji, he said, “The CM has already replied to this. We have to keep the constitutional values above everything else. No one is above the law.”

“Ashok has said that he would launch a strong protest if a case was filed against the Swamiji, he said, “Where was Ashok and JDS leaders when a case was filed against Balagangadharanatha Swamiji? They did not raise their voice when there were allegations against Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji during JDS government. They must stop politicising this,” he said.

About Author