Congress summons Karnataka leaders

The two warring groups of the ruling Congress in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, have been summoned by the party high command to resolve the crisis in the Government.

While party sources said there will be no immediate change in guards in the State reaffirming incumbent CM and Dy CM position, caste groups backing Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar on Thursday threw their weight behind them, with one warning Congress against unseating the incumbent CM while the other community strongly batted for Shivakumar’s  elevation.

The power tussle within the ruling party has intensified, amid speculations about chief minister change in the State after the Congress Government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, in the backdrop of a purported “power-sharing” agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in 2023.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said he has called for a meeting of senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar in New Delhi to discuss the raging leadership issue in Karnataka. He said the leaders will discuss the way forward and settle the issue, and thereby put an end to the “confusion” that is there.

“I will call everyone and discuss. Rahul Gandhi will be part of it, also other members including CM and Deputy CM. After discussing with everyone, a decision will be made,” Kharge added.