Cong puts its K'taka might behind poll push in Telangana

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Congress seems to be using its entire might from Karnataka in Telangana, seeking to emulate its success there, with the party sending 10 ministers and 48 senior leaders from the state for election management to its poll-bound neighbour.

While 10 ministers from Karnataka have been appointed as AICC cluster in-charges, 48 other party leaders -- mostly MLAs and MLCs -- have been appointed as AICC assembly constituency observers for various districts in Telangana, which goes to polls on November 30.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also KPCC chief, are leading from the front in the election push in Telangana.

In fact, both leaders are currently in Telangana for electioneering, working for the Congress to emerge victorious in that state too, like it did in Karnataka.

Ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao, Priyank Kharge, M C Sudhakar, S P Patil, K H Muniyappa, Krishna Byre Gowda, Shivaraj S Tangadagi, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Eshawara Khandre and B Nagendra have been appointed as AICC cluster in-charges.

Congress is also facing some criticism in Karnataka, especially from the BJP, for deputing Karnataka ministers for Telangana "poll duty", and CM and DCM themselves getting involved in campaigning despite the state facing a drought.