Bengaluru: The process of selecting candidates for the posts of various boards and corporations is expected to be completed by this month end, according to Digvijay Singh, Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge.

Speaking to media persons after attending the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee coordination panel meeting, Digvijay Singh said that the selection of candidates will be done by the KPCC after consulting with senior Congress leaders in the state as per the guidelines given by AICC vice president Rahul Gandhi.

“Congress high command did not suggest any leader’s name to be included into the earlier list. Now also there is no plan to suggest any name to be included in the new list to be prepared by the KPCC”, Digvijay Singh said.
Giving a stern warning to some Congress leaders who have been issuing statements against Congress in the state, Digvijay Singh has emphasised the need of Congress leaders maintaining discipline. “I have asked the KPCC to submit the list of those leaders who had issued statements against Congress. The list will be sent to A K Antony, Chairman of Congress Disciplinary Action Committee.

After discussing with A K Antony, disciplinary action will be taken against those leaders irrespective of whether they are junior or senior Congress leaders. I am advising such leaders to discuss with the KPCC leaders if they have any problems. I will not tolerate such people who issue statements against Congress and the state government,’’ Singh said.

The executive committee meeting of the KPCC would be held at Dharwad on September 27 to prepare the action plan for the Assembly elections in 2018. “The KPCC will chalk out a plan for its mass contact programme during the executive committee meeting. All the issues related to membership drive and preparations for the next Assembly elections will be discussed during the meeting,’’ Singh said.

Indira Gandhi centenary

The KPCC has planned to organise various programmes on the occasion of Indira Gandhi’s centenary from November 2016 to January 2017. “The KPCC will organise programmes to create awareness among the people on the contribution and sacrifice of Indira Gandhi to the country,’’ Singh said.

Water for irrigation

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced that measures have been taken to release water for irrigation to save the standing crops in Cauvery basin. “The water is being released as per the decision taken during the Irrigation Consultative Committee (ICC) of the Cauvery command area. We have also taken measures to ensure supply of drinking water to Bengaluru, Mandya, Mysuru and other villages,’’ Siddaramaiah said.

Coming down heavily on BJP and JD(S) for politicising Cauvery water issue, the chief minister said Cauvery water was released to Tamil Nadu when Deve Gowda was chief minister in 1995 and Jagadish Shettar was chief minister in 2012. “Now, BJP leaders and JD(S) leaders are demanding the state government not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy visited Mandya to provoke people. I appeal to the people of Karnataka to maintain peace and not damage public property,’’ the Chief Minister said.