Bengaluru: With the Congress High Command deciding to continue Dr. G. Parameshwara as KPCC President, it seems to have hit two birds with one stone.

According to party insiders, while the High Command has played it safe by retaining Parameshwara — not to antagonise Dalit communities ahead of next elections — it has paved way for a smooth alliance with JD(S) in case the Congress does not get a majority.

Sources said that the party has taken a conscious decision to retain Dr. Parameshwara though there were strong contenders for the KPCC President’s post including Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Water Resources Minister M.B. Patil, former Ministers S.R. Patil and K.H. Muniyappa and leader of Congress Party in Lok Sabha  M. Mallikarjun Kharge.

The High Command felt that Dr. Parameshwara, as the KPCC President, will be able to forge an alliance with the JD(S) in case the party requires support to form the Government in 2018, sources said and added that if D.K. Shivakumar headed the KPCC, it will be difficult for the Congress to approach JD(S) given the animosity between Shivakumar and the family of former      Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

Instead of appointing a hardliner like Shivakumar, the party chose a soft-spoken Dr. Parameshwara who is amiable to all political parties, sources said.

Also, by appointing Shivakumar as the Campaign Committee Chairman, the party has attempted to enthuse grassroot party workers to ensure the victory of Congress candidates.