Will Cong see an exodus?

Congress leader Siddaramiah and other party men seem to be in two minds over whether to join the JD (S) for 'better prospects'

Congress leader Siddaramiah and other party men seem to be in two minds over whether to join the JD (S) for 'better prospects'

With the JD(S) luring in Congress leader S Bangarappa, others in the party are divided over following their leader. This has left Congress leader Siddaramaiah confused, say sources.

Gone with the winds? Siddaramaiah is being sidelined in the Congress
party after he hobnobbed with H D Kumaraswamy

Siddaramaiah, an aspiring chief ministerial candidate, is being sidelined in the party after he hobnobbed with H D Kumaraswamy, JD(S) state president, when the latter attempted to topple Yeddyurappa government recently.
He had joined the Congress in 2005, after falling out with H D Deve Gowda, national president of JD(S).

He has the option of going back with the chances of a brighter future in the party, after Bangarappa left Congress to join the JD(S) a couple of days ago. However, while some Siddaramaiah's supporters support the idea, most think otherwise.

"We quit the JD(S)' opposing monopolistic and family oriented politics of Deve Gowda, and there has been no improvement on this front in that party," said B R Patil, former MLA who followed Siddaramaiah to join the Congress. "So there is no reason to go back."

A group led by former Civil Aviation Minister CM Ibrahim, and former Deputy Chief Minister M P Prakash is in favour of going back, while legislators including DR H C Mahadevappa and Mahadevaprasad are opposing the idea.u00a0

"We are just weighing the options and nothing is finalised," said Ibrahim. "If our sentiments are honoured in JD(S), why not?" he said.

Sources indicated that Kumaraswamy is operating through Ibrahim to poach Siddaramaiah. A source in the JD(S) said that Kumaraswamy has offered a Rajya Sabha seat for him as a reward.

Wrong move?
"Ibrahim is a nobody in the Congress today. He desperately wants the limelight again, and is pushing Siddaramaiah to join the JD(S). But, it would be a wrong move," said a source close to Siddaramaiah. The source added M P Prakash was likely to join the JD(S) shortly, while the rest were biding their time.

"I would like to say that I am a loyal member of the Congress. For now, we are not considering leaving," said Siddaramaiah.

But seems like this has not deterred the JD(S). Party leaders are hoping to take Siddaramaiah and his supporters in the fold, just before the next assembly polls.

"Siddaramaiah's return will definitely add to our strength and so, he is welcome," said Milind Dharmasena, JD(S) General Secretary.