Star fundraiser's neck may not be on the line

If the Opposition leader Siddaramaiah got a booster dose for his leadership in the Congress, the Bellary rally has come as a face-saver for R V Deshpande, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president.
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Just a month ago, Deshpande had come under fire for allegedly misusing flood relief funds.

Insiders revealed that the party high command who was earlier mulling over his replacement was likely to change its stance after the rally.

All praises

"Deshpande concentrated on the funds required for the whole event," said a senior leader in the Congress. "Thanks to his ability, there were no shortcomings in the arrangements throughout the event."

"He estimated the cost of the event at Rs 3 crore," said the leader. "Deshpande had organised it almost single-handedly."

A former industries minister, Deshpande is one of the richest politicians in the state and had taken over as president of the state unit of Congress after he was defeated in the assembly polls in 2008.

A turnaround

Following media reports on KPCC misusing the funds collected for relief operations for the regions of north Karnataka that witnessed worst floods last year; Deshpande was in the line of fire.

While the needle of suspicion pointed at DK Shivakumar for leaking information to the media, the party high command had hinted at replacing Deshpande.
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The change was expected to take effect in July, and was postponed on account of the walkathon demanding a CBI probe into illegal mining.

"It seems now that the issue is sorted for Deshpande, with the high command taking note of his performance in the event," said the leader.

"What I can see now is either he will not be replaced or he would be given more time before he is changed."

The revival of Deshpande's leadership was evident in the rally, when speakers on the dais openly credited him for the success.

"I don't want to discuss internal issues of the party," said Deshpande. "I am happy that our protest march elicited a remarkable response and the rally was a great success.

I am not looking for my extension as the party president. If they extend it, my responsibilities will grow and even otherwise I will work for the party with the same enthusiasm."

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