Change of guard likely in Karnataka
The Congress may soon move Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to a key role at the Centre, paving the way for Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to take over as CM, party sources suggested on Tuesday. Though the party has not issued any official statement, discussions around a possible leadership transition have gathered momentum.
After a day-long meeting, the Congress attempted to present a bold face by hushing up the crisis by saying that the CM, his deputy and other party colleagues were called to Delhi to discuss the forthcoming Rajya Sabha polls. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were also present in the meeting briefly.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar arrived in Delhi, accompanied by the MLAs supporting them.
Shivakumar’s demand that he be elevated to the chief minister’s post in accordance with a “promise” which his supporters claim was made to him during State assembly elections in 2023.
However, well-placed sources in the party said that Siddaramiah were conveyed the feelings of the High Command— Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi — that it’s time to pave way for DK Shivakumar to lead the Government and in lieu of this, the senior Karnataka leader would be given a Rajya Sabha berth and simultaneously, his son would be accommodated in the State Government.
Siddaramiah has, however, shown his reluctance in stepping down as CM, rather conveying that he would desire to hear the same, nothing less than the Gandhis. Sources said that he categorically mentioned that he will neither take it from AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal nor AICC In-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala to step down as CM.
“Hence, the matter is unresolved as both Siddaraimah is known for his rigidity as he understands the backing of the majority of caste equations in the State, while DK has his own manoeuvring expertise in the State’s political set-up,” explained a top party leader.
Congress termed as “mere speculation” the talk about any leadership change and asserted that the day-long discussions between the central and state top brass were solely focused on the upcoming elections to the Rajya Sabha and the state’s Legislative Council.
Though Kharge had convened a meeting to decide party candidates for the two elections, the point of interest remained the protracted leadership tussle between Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar.
Congress’s central leadership held deliberations for several hours with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who is also the state party chief, at the Indira Bhawan party headquarters.
“Today, the entire discussion was only concentrated on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and (Legislative) Council elections of Karnataka. Whatever speculation you people are doing, that is only speculation, no reality at all. Today we discussed the Rajya Sabha seats and the Council seats of Karnataka,” Venugopal told the media after the meeting. He was flanked by Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Karantaka, along with the other seats like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, goes for biennial elections next month. Of the four Rajya Sabha seats getting vacant in Karnataka, the Congress can win three seats and the BJP one. Kharge’s Rajya Sabha seat is getting vacant in June, and he is likely to be re-elected from Karnataka.
Sources said the party may also field Shivakumar’s brother D K Suresh as one of the Rajya Sabha candidates, as well as a woman or an OBC nominee. Suresh has been a former Rajya Sabha member from the state.
