He was recently appointed as KPCC Working President

Elated over his appointment as KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) Working President, former Congress MP from Chamarajanagar, R. Dhruvanarayan said that he will use the opportunity for strengthening the party organisation and work for party’s return to power. A day after his appointment,  Star of Mysore had a telephonic conversation with Dhruvanarayan. Excerpts.—Ed 

By Siddalingaswamy

Star of Mysore (SOM): Your first reaction on being appointed as KPCC Working President?

Dhruvanarayan: I am happy about the appointment. I had a strong desire to work for organisation of the party and now with the appointment, I have got an opportunity to build the party. I will undertake a tour of the State shortly and make efforts to further strengthen the party right from grassroots-level. I will give my best to strengthen the party base under the leadership of KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar and Opposition Leader Siddharamaiah.

SOM: What are your plans for party organisation?

Dhruvanarayan: The Congress party has a long history of public service. All efforts will be made to strengthen the party at booth-level. Loyal leaders and youth workers will be given responsible positions in the party. The Congress will be made into a cadre-based party  and the party plans to grow by giving priority to women and other marginalised sections of the society.

SOM: What is the logic behind your appointment at a time when there are no elections round the corner?

Dhruvanarayan: There was a need to make appointments for unfilled positions considering the organisational activities of the party. The AICC had earlier made appointments from three regions of the State and now it has announced the appointments for Mysuru region. The party High Command will take appropriate decisions from time to time.

SOM: Has AICC appointed you on caste considerations?

Dhruvanarayan: The AICC has made the appointment to uphold social justice among castes and communities and also at the same time maintain regional balance in the                                                                    State party leadership. The Congress is committed for social justice and accordingly the party top brass has made the appointments.

SOM: Is it true that Congress leaders of the State are engaged in shadow-boxing? 

Dhruvanarayan: There is no dissidence or discontent in the State Congress. The decision of High Command is final and binding on everyone. There is no individual glorification as                                                      the party is bigger than an individual. The BJP is falsely accusing the Congress of leader worship in order to cover up its own follies and misdeeds. It is the habit of BJP to blame others for its failures.

SOM: Who will become the Chief Minister if the Congress comes to power in the State?

Dhruvanarayan: The Congress High Command will decide on the Chief Minister only after the election results are out. The party top brass has the final say in the selection of the Chief Minister, if the party comes to power.

SOM: To which leader are you loyal to?

Dhruvanarayan: I can only say that I am always loyal to the party. My first priority will be to organise the party in Bengaluru region, where I had worked earlier as the party’s student leader. I will follow all instructions and directions issued by the KPCC President, Opposition Leader and the Party High Command.

SOM: What’s your next goal?

Dhruvanarayan: My immediate goal is to bring back the Congress to power in Karnataka. I will launch widespread awareness and sensitisation programmes on the failures and anti-people policies of the BJP Government in the State and the Centre. The BJP Government has failed miserably on all fronts. The people are fed up with anti-people policies and the Congress will launch a movement against the maladministration  of the BJP.