Mysuru: The shocking statement made by Congress veteran, C.K. Jaffer Sharief endorsing the Shiv Sena view that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should be made President, has provided fresh ammo to the BJP with party leader, R. Ashok observing that the Congress was heading nowhere and its leaders had openly started praising the policies and leadership of the BJP.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Ashok said internal bickering in the Congress has started to reach the public domain with senior leaders questioning the leadership. “The Congress has started to crumble due to its own mistakes,” he rationalized.

He felt Mr Sharief’s statement should an eye opener for all Congressmen in the country. “The simmering discontent in the Congress is likely to explode like a volcano in the days to come,” he added.

In response to a question, Mr Ashok snapped that only Congress leaders will be able to respond to media queries on when its leaders like former minister, M.H. Ambreesh and former MP and actress, Ramya would be quitting the party.Mr Ashok claimed that CM Siddaramaiah and his coterie were conspiring to finish off the Dalit leadership within the party.

According to him, the CM was quietly planning to replace incumbent KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwar with one of his nominees by April 10. “It all began with former minister, V. Srinivasaprasad’s ouster from the cabinet. This is a well thought out plan by Mr Siddarmaiah and his camp to decimate the Dalit leadership in the Congress.”