Senior Congress leader MR Seetharam expresses displeasure with the party

Holds a meet with senior leaders to discuss about his future course of action in the party

Bengaluru, June 24:

A special meeting convened by senior Congress leader MR Seetharam to discuss the continuous injustice caused in the party to him and his family has become fruitful.

Thousands of leaders of all ranks have extended their solid support to back the decisions of Seetharam. Legislators, former MLAs, former party workers, senior leaders, thousands of supporters attended the meet. The meeting was convened at the Palace grounds (White Petals).

Senior and trusted leaders of Congress have urged Seetharam to not to quit party. They extended their confidence that the senior leadership will respond to his pain and embarrassment. Seetharam was asked to remain in the party at any cost.

Speaking on the occasion Seetharam said that Congress is a noble party. But those within the party are not principled. I have been working for the party like a frontline soldier since 1984. So far, injustice has met for about four times. One more crucial meeting will be held with party seniors and workers within a month. After Ashada (Inauspicious) month a decision will be arrived at after holding yet another meeting. This time the decision will be historical and beneficial to all, he said.

Injustice is not meted just to me but to my son MS Raksha Ramaiah too. The nomination of a candidate who contested against Ramaiah for Youth Congress leader post was rejected outright. But those who are at the helm of the power in the party ensured that rejected nomination is accepted. Once a nomination is rejected how can that be accepted, he questioned. With all these embarrassing developments, Ramaiha won the elections. Amidst all these a meeting was held to convince my son to hold the post for one year and the remaining two years to be parted with the defeated candidate. This is unheard off and unprecedented. Despite all this we respected the party and party decision. After this my son was left with no power in the party for about six months. After media extensively reported about how upset I was for not getting legislative council my son was nominated to the post of general secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC). They have made it look like the senior leadership has done a favour and given a gift. We are not in the league of accepting the gifts, he vented out his anger.

In 1999 assembly I won with a margin of 11,000 votes in Malleswaram against former minister Raghupathi. With this Congress opened its account in Malleswaram. In 2008 my confidence was breached even after winning twice from Malleswaram constituency. Those within the party ensured my defeat. In the subsequent election, brother of a senior leader was given the ticket. In 2018 I was assured of a ticket. However, I gave honest opinion that I was not in a position to face direct elections, he said.

I made all the preparations to contest Loksabha elections in 2009 from Chikkaballapura. But B form was given to Veerappa Moily in the last minute. In 2002 council elections I emerged victorious with major vote share although I was pitted as the fourth candidate. I have the confidence of handling sensitive and tough situation with utmost care. I have handled suicide of DySP Ganapathi and problems of tribes.

Those holding the power in the party and myself are contemporaries. He has an experience of 39 years while I have 38 years. I have lead the party in the capacity of treasurer and have taken active part in all the elections. I have felt dissatisfied when I was not considered for Rajya Sabha polls. But, so far the party leadership has not consoled me even for courtesy sake. So far I have remained calm and composed. I should show my dissatisfaction, he felt.

The recent developments have caused immense pain and dissatisfaction to MR Seetharam, said Bhadravathi MLA BK Sangamesh. This should be corrected. Seetharam is not just a person but a power. These differences must be resolved at high command level, he said.

Backward class leader and former MLA MD Lakshminarayan said that injustice should not be meted to backward class leaders. Conspiracy politics should not be followed. Damage control should be done within the party. Filing which the party will suffer more damage.

Seetharam has suffered problem in Congress. Senior party leadership must discuss with him and resolve the issue, said KPCC general secretary Shafiulla. The future of Congress is bright and Seetharam must stay put in the party, he said.

Former MLA Anusooyamma, senior Congress leader LN Murthy, Hejje Venkatesh and other also took part in the meeting.

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