Claims about leadership change are personal views, says MLC

All the claims and counter-claims about change of leadership in the Karnataka government are the personal opinions of some leaders. They do not reflect the views of the party high command, said Salim Ahmed, MLC and Congress leader, in Hubballi on February 8.

“Congress has a functional internal democracy that enables leaders to speak freely. But this does not happen in the BJP. All the leaders speak in the same tone. That is because the BJP doe not have internal democracy. It has Hitler-like administration,’’ Mr. Ahmed told reporters.

He said there is a likelihood that the State Cabinet will be reshuffled after the Budget session. The party State unit has requested the high command to depute around 50 senior leaders, including Ministers, for the work of strengthening the party. Some people in the party feel that the berths vacated by them should be filled by other legislators. We hope the high command will consider our demand, he said.

He further said he is an aspirant for the post of a Minister. “For several decades, no Muslim leader from Kittur Karnataka region has entered the Cabinet. I hope to get an opportunity to serve the people,” he said. He added that the State government is committed to conducting local body polls using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.