Mangaluru: In view of the upcoming Karnataka Assembly polls it is learnt that the Congress high command has met with a few dissident members of the party who have been vocal in their criticism of the state government and has asked them to refrain from doing so.

The state leadership has often come under attack from a few of its senior leader viz Jaffer Sharief, H Vishwanath and Janardhana Poojary besides the opposition leaders and is believed to have taken up the matter with Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia, it is gathered has told the leaders not to be critical of the state leadership since it may have a negative impact to the party in the upcoming assembly elections.

Further it is gathered that she had a private discussion with Janardhana Poojary and has asked him to put forth his views in private and at party forums or he could approach her as well about any issues.

It is a known fact that Poojary has been critical of CM Siddaramaiah and the administration affairs and has often openly voiced his opinions in public at press club events.