In a veiled attack against veteran Congress leader and Lingayat strongman Shamanur Shivashankarappa, vice president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, B. L. Shankar, on Tuesday asked party workers to spread the message that merit and not caste matters in the party.
Speaking at a booth-level meeting of workers in Hebbal Assembly constituency, Mr Shankar said unlike the BJP and Janata Dal (S), which are identified as parties depending on two major communities and prop up leaders belonging to these communities, the Congress has appointed leaders belonging to microscopic communities to key positions, including that of the Chief Minister. “There is no history of any leader prospering with selfish motives. So, all the leaders must shun their differences and join hands to ensure the party's victory in next year’s elections to the Assembly,” he added.
Mr Shankar said the party would fight elections on the basis on programmes and welfare schemes, and not on the basis of caste and creed. Those with patience and vision would emerge as leaders in the party, he added.