The Hindu : Vishwanath emerging as backward classes' leader

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 08, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Vishwanath emerging as backward classes' leader

By A. Jayaram

BANGALORE, MARCH 7. The Minister for Cooperation, H. Vishwanath, is emerging as a rallying point for the backward classes within the Congress and even outside, especially when it comes to allocation of the party ticket.

He recently attacked his colleague, the Minister for Urban Development, D.K. Shivakumar. The reported threat of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to initiate disciplinary action against Mr. Vishwanath has not deterred many Congressmen from coming out in support of him and against Mr. Shivakumar.

The Minister who was at loggerheads with some of his colleagues, especially M. Mahadev (Animal Husbandry) and Mr. Shivakumar, had made accusations against the latter and wanted him to be kept out of the process of selection of party candidates for the elections. The Agriculture Minister, H.K. Patil, had come out in support of Mr. Vishwanath.

A feeling has grown in the Congress that after the exit of the former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa, from the party, there are not many leaders of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to stand up to the politically dominant castes within the organisation. The confidence in Mr. Vishwanath has grown despite the presence of other OBC leaders in the party such as the KPCC President, B. Janardhana Poojary, the former chief minister, M. Veerappa Moily, and the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Kagodu Thimmappa.

Although a second level leader with his influence limited to Mysore district, Mr. Vishwanath is being looked up to for providing leadership, as he is known for his plain speaking.

However, the Opposition is building up against him within the party and there are demands for restraining him.

Mr. Vishwanath, who had represented the Krishnarajanagar constituency in Mysore district, is a Kuruba.

The admission of a good number of All India Progressive Janata Dal leaders, most of whom are Veerashaivas, into the Congress has caused some disquiet among the Kurubas in Raichur, Koppal, Bidar, and Gadag districts.

The Karnataka State Backward Castes' United Forum has come out in support of Mr. Vishwanath and said that his observation on Mr. Shivakumar being a feudal was correct.

The Karnataka Pradesh Kurubara Vedike has said that the threat held out by the AICC against Mr. Vishwanath had caused anguish to Kurubas.

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