Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president BK Hariprasad on Saturday, November 14, said that people with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) backgrounds appointed to State-run boards and corporations must either resign or the government would withdraw their names.
Hariprasad was speaking on the sidelines of celebrations organised by the KPCC to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Children's Day.
He said that the party had received complaints about people from RSS or BJP backgrounds appointed to boards and corporations.
On the RSS-linked appointees, Mr Hariprasad said: "Names of those with links to RSS must be withdrawn. They have been told to resign, failing which the government will withdraw their appointments."
"Some were on MLAs' recommendation. Now we have appointed around 400-odd people. One or two mishaps may have happened. It is not a big issue; we will correct it," Hariprasad told reporters. "We are investigating who all have an RSS background. We have already given directions to some people."
He said two more lists of appointments to boards and corporations would be ready in a couple of days.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also spoke at the event, said a second list of appointments was being prepared. The first list was announced as part of the party's effort to accommodate its workers in positions of responsibility, he said, adding that the remaining vacant posts would be filled subsequently.
Shivakumar urged party workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots. He asked them to enrol members for Bharat Jodo organisations at the panchayat and ward levels.
The government has appointed 40,000 members to guarantee implementation committees, while the process of appointing another 20,000 members is under way, he said.