Weakened by a spate of desertions by its MLAs and factionalism, Opposition Congress in Karnataka is struggling to revive its flagging fortunes in the coming Lok Sabha elections. In a state which was once its strong fortress and stood by it in times of crisis when opposition parties swept polls elsewhere in the country, the Congress suffered a major reverse in the 2004 general elections with the number of seats won by it slumping to mere eight out of the total 28 seats.
Even as factionalism rules the roost and unity a mirage, KPCC president R V Deshpande is grappling with the herculean task of bringing all its leaders, rank and file together.
“With committed cadre, strong base of Congress in Karnataka and unity in the party, I find that we will put up a very good show in this election,” Deshpande, a former Janata Parivar leader, who defected to Congress in 1999 and now has the onus of leading the party, told PTI here.
“Congress garnered the highest percentage of votes in the last year’s Assembly polls, but could not get more than 80 seats. I admit that due to differences among our leaders, we fared badly in the bye-elections held last year. Now the situation has changed,” he said, adding, “BJP’s attempts to win the elections on communal card, emotions and money power will not succeed.”
Congress has lost five of its MLAs, who joined BJP after last year’s Assembly polls.
