Ensure flag row doesn't cause damage to party, Venugopal tells CM

AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka K C Venugopal is learnt to have asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday to handle the controversial issue of separate state flag carefully and ensure that it does not cause any damage to the Congress.

During his meeting with the chief minister, Venugopal is learnt to have told Siddaramaiah that the party top brass is anxious about the possible impact of the controversy as the BJP is likely to project the state government’s move as encouraging mindset of separatists.

Opposition parties, the BJP and the JD(S), are accusing the Congress of using the issue to whip up the sentiments of people ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.

Sources in the party said Siddaramaiah clarified to Venugopal that his government has only set up a committee of officials to explore the possibility of having a separate state flag and that no decision has been taken yet.

Four AICC secretaries in charge of Karnataka were also present in the meeting held at chief minister’s official residence ‘Cauvery.’

Venugopal and AICC secretaries were in Bengaluru to hold the first meeting of the newly appointed KPCC office-bearers.