Shivakumar to assume charge of K'taka Congress via digital mode

Bengaluru, June 5 Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar will assume charge as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President digitally amid the Covid-19 pandemic without any fanfare, a party spokesperson said on Friday.

"We are organising a simple and unique programme. Shivakumar will take charge as KPCC President in a virtual way using digital technologies," party leader V.S. Ugrappa told IANS.

Karnataka Congress will live stream the ceremony in nearly 8,000 places in the state, including 6,025 gram panchayats and 198 wards in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), among other places.

"We are expecting at least 100 people to attend, view and participate in the event at all the 8,000 places, leading to 8 lakh people participating," said Ugrappa.

Due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, he said the party is avoiding a large gathering.

"Around 150-200 people, including legislators, former legislators and others will participate at the Congress Bhavan in Bengaluru," he said.

"We will read the preamble and rededicate ourselves to the Constitution. We will take an oath to strengthen the party," said Ugrappa.

All the speeches by the Congress party leaders would also be live-streamed via the Zoom app.

Originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, the party has changed its plans owing to the lockdown rules. However, the opposition will wait till Monday to take its next step.

"Once we get the permission, only then we will go ahead as we are law abiding people," said Ugrappa.

Meanwhile, Kanakapura MLA Shivakumar has already written to Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa seeking permission to conduct the event.