As part of its strategy to counter growing influence of major Opposition BJP and the JD(S), the ruling Congress led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to conduct a survey on the performance of his Government and legislators in the run up to the 2018 Assembly polls.
Karnataka is crucial for both the Congress and the BJP as the ruling party wants retain power and the BJP wants to make inroad into south through Karnataka. The BJP has already declared Congress-Mukt Karnataka and to win 150 seats, a responsibility lies on lingayat strongman and BJP State president BS Yeddyurappa who is fighting a major battle to come back to power.
Siddaramaiah, who has been playing the appeasement of backward classes to the hilt, said in Bengaluru that a private agency will conduct survey of the performance of the Government.
He said “The survey will find out the public opinion about the performance of our Government and of those who are there now (MlAs and ministers). It will also find out the reasons why some candidates lost the previous election,”
Siddaramaiah’s remarks came after reports that the BJP reportedly is conducting a “secret survey” through a private agency in the 224 assembly constituencies in the State, based on which the saffron party’s election plan, including selection of candidates, is likely to be finalised.
Stating that the survey will be carried out by a private agency, the Chief Minister said the opinion of the party workers will also be taken into consideration before the party reaches to any decision on the basis of the findings of the survey.
“Without the report, I can’t say anything. Things will not be decided just on the basis of the outcome of the survey, the opinion of the party workers will also be taken into account,” he said.
Siddaramaiah has said he would lead the next election and the chief ministerial candidate will be decided by the party high command. Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has said polls will be held under “collective leadership”.