12-14-2007, 07:03 AM
After Gujarat, Congress to focus on Karnataka
14 Dec 2007, 0224 hrs IST,Bhaskar Roy ,TNN
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NEW DELHI: After the Gujarat elections are over, there is not going to be any respite for Congress. Even before the dust settles down on the fiercely fought poll battle, the party is turning its focus on the next area of conflict - Karnataka.
Placed under President's rule last month, the southern state is reckoned by party managers as tough terrain to reclaim.
What makes the Karnataka challenge all the more difficult is the presence of a formidable third force in the arena - JD(S). Party strategists argue that a direct battle with the BJP is always easier since a third force dents into the same constituency as Congress.
"Though H D Devegowda is extremely unpredictable and unreliable as an ally, we have to make sure that his JD(S) is not pushed into the BJP fold," said a Union minister dealing with Karnataka. In fact, as soon as the Gujarat elections are over, Congress managers will be busy revamping the state party unit. In an attempt to remove the deadwood in the organisation, the high command is reportedly toying with several names for the major posts.
Within Congress, an intense debate has been going on as to who should be its first target - Devegowda or BJP. The view that has prevailed calls for targeting the BJP in Karnataka.
Given the hostility between the BJP and JD(S) over the power struggle leading to the collapse of the coalition government, it is not going to be easy for the two to patch up and put up a common front.
14 Dec 2007, 0224 hrs IST,Bhaskar Roy ,TNN
Print Save EMail Write to Editor
NEW DELHI: After the Gujarat elections are over, there is not going to be any respite for Congress. Even before the dust settles down on the fiercely fought poll battle, the party is turning its focus on the next area of conflict - Karnataka.
Placed under President's rule last month, the southern state is reckoned by party managers as tough terrain to reclaim.
What makes the Karnataka challenge all the more difficult is the presence of a formidable third force in the arena - JD(S). Party strategists argue that a direct battle with the BJP is always easier since a third force dents into the same constituency as Congress.
"Though H D Devegowda is extremely unpredictable and unreliable as an ally, we have to make sure that his JD(S) is not pushed into the BJP fold," said a Union minister dealing with Karnataka. In fact, as soon as the Gujarat elections are over, Congress managers will be busy revamping the state party unit. In an attempt to remove the deadwood in the organisation, the high command is reportedly toying with several names for the major posts.
Within Congress, an intense debate has been going on as to who should be its first target - Devegowda or BJP. The view that has prevailed calls for targeting the BJP in Karnataka.
Given the hostility between the BJP and JD(S) over the power struggle leading to the collapse of the coalition government, it is not going to be easy for the two to patch up and put up a common front.