He is upset at being denied the post of leader of Congress in Karnataka Legislative Council
Upset over being denied the post of Congress leader in the Karnataka Legislative Council, party veteran CM Ibrahim on Thursday announced that he would resign from the party and give up the membership of the council.
“I am leaving the Congress. I will send the resignation letter to the council,” he saidHinduA day later when the party declared another stalwart BK Hariprasad as its leader in the council. “I have not informed anyone in KPCC about my decision. I will send a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Mr. Ibrahim further said, “I had asked the party to conduct elections to elect the leader of the party. I had said that if I do not have the numbers, do not make me the leader. However, I have 19 (26 members of Congress in the council). out of the) had the support of the members.”
A veteran politician, who was also the Union Civil Aviation Minister in the HD Deve Gowda-led cabinet in 1996, was eyeing the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council after SR Patil, who was elected by the party to contest from the local authority constituency. ticket was denied. He was due to retire on January 5. The term of Shri Ibrahim, elected from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, is till June 17, 2024.
Party sources said Mr Ibrahim had also met Janata Dal (Secular) leaders Mr Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy, who are believed to have offered him a “good position” in the party. Congress leaders, including general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Surjewala, had met Mr. Ibrahim to pacify him. Sources said that in recent months, the minority leader had also distanced himself from Siddaramaiah, the former chief minister and longtime ally of the Janata Parivar days.
Asked if he would join the JD(S), Mr Ibrahim said, “I have not made up my mind. I am looking at other options as well.”
KPCC president DK Shivakumar told reporters that Mr Ibrahim was a senior leader in the party and may have spoken after being hurt. He said, “He has worked and contributed for the party. He has also been MLC twice. He has been my friend and I will talk to him.
Mr Kumaraswamy said he would welcome Mr Ibrahim if he decides to join the JD(S). “There is nothing to hide. I have spoken to him even today. He has been a long time associate of Mr. Deve Gowda. We will give him a suitable party post if he decides to join us.
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