With calls for setting up Congress coordination panel, all eyes now on Thursday CLP meeting

BENGALURU: Ever since the Congress government assumed power, party MLAs have been demanding setting up of a coordination committee for better interaction between the government and the party.

With the Congress legislature party scheduled to meet on Thursday, some Congress MLAs are planning to propose the idea of a coordination committee at the meeting. However, there are doubts about whom the responsibility will be entrusted to by the high command.

The MLAs have planned to place their demand before AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge if he participates in the meeting. Some MLAs have already complained to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and expressed their displeasure over the lack of coordination between the party and the government. So, there is a possibility of bringing  pressure on the leadership for the setting up of a coordination committee by highlighting the dissent by some MLAs  as a reason.

Sources said serious discussion is going on about the formation of a coordination committee and there is talk in the Congress circles that some senior MLAs have already held an internal discussion on the issue. Whether the issue comes p for discussion on Thursday remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, a minor cold war is brewing between the old guard in the Congress and the younger crop. Some senior leaders have taken it as a prestige issue as they feel they are not getting enough recognition in the party and are upset with the young leaders.

Some of the old-time leaders, who were decision makers in the state Congress are now just left in the shadows. Also, recommendations from senior leaders on transfers are not being considered and this has become a big headache for the CM. There are eight new faces in Siddaramaiah’s cabinet and at least 12 other ministers are young, which has lef the senior leaders disgruntled.

The high command is likely to maintain a balance until the Lok Sabha elections with Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar being entrusted with the responsibility of convincing the seniors. All eyes are now on Thursday’s legislature party meeting regarding what the CM will say to the ministers and MLAs.