Congress leader and former MP V. S. Ugrappa on Saturday admitted that there are minor differences within the Congress party. However, he emphasised that MLAs and party leaders should refrain from airing their views in public or through the media and instead air their opinions directly to the party high command.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Ugrappa said the high command must closely monitor such differences and intervene wherever necessary to find a solution. He added that unity within the party is essential to ensure development and to enable the Congress to return to power in the State once again in 2028.
He stated that he had no knowledge about any power-sharing pact and clarified that decisions regarding leadership must be taken solely by the party high command, irrespective of individual opinions expressed by leaders. “Leaders like me cannot comment on leadership issues, as they have to be handled by the high command,” he said.
Without directly responding to questions about factions in the party or the leadership tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, he said the Congress is one family and none of the leaders have claimed that there are factions. The differences, he added, will be sorted out by the high command and senior leaders at the appropriate time.
Ugrappa said he had not taken note of statements made by leaders such as Tanveer Sait. He reiterated that the high command is watching the developments and will take decisions at an appropriate time.
He expressed confidence that people would elect the Congress in the next elections based on the present government’s policies and said the coming Budget would lay emphasis on development under the Chief Minister’s leadership.
