The politics of Karnataka has once again become heated. There has been a period of speculation regarding change of leadership in the state for a long time. Different claims were made by both the parties in the ruling Congress. Amid talks of leadership change and cabinet reshuffle, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar is going to meet the party high command in Delhi today.
Before leaving for Delhi, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that the party high command has called him to the capital for a meeting. However, he also said that he had no knowledge about the agenda of the meeting. Shivkumar had also told that if the high command calls him, he will go to Delhi. However, he later confirmed that he was going to Delhi.
The meeting will be held in Delhi at 11 o’clock
Regarding the Delhi visit, Siddaramaiah said, “I have been called to Delhi. There is a meeting tomorrow at 11 am. But I do not know about the agenda of the meeting. I have been called to Delhi. Yesterday (Sunday) night, KC Venugopal (Congress General Secretary – Organization) called me and informed me about the date and the meeting.”
There is going to be a lot of stir in Delhi today regarding the politics of Karnataka. Some ministers considered close to CM Siddaramaiah (Satish Jarkiholi, G. Parameshwara, H.C. Mahadevappa and some others) are also reaching Delhi.
Shivkumar will also be in Delhi today
On the other hand, Shivkumar will also be in Delhi today. Regarding his Delhi visit, he said, “In a special situation, I have to go, I am going.” Shivkumar left for Delhi last night itself and will meet several Union Ministers on Tuesday, and nothing has been decided regarding his return.
Earlier in the day, Shivakumar had said, “If I am called, I will go to Delhi. I don’t know what Surjewala (party in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is in Bengaluru) will say. I will ask him. If he asks me to come (Delhi), I will definitely go. Otherwise, I will stay here.”
3 years of Congress government completed
When he was asked a question related to changing the Chief Minister in the state, Shivkumar said, “I don’t know anything about it, I don’t want to say anything on it, it is not my job.” The market of speculation is hot in Karnataka regarding change in leadership and cabinet reshuffle, because the Congress government recently completed 3 years of its tenure on 20th May.
However, according to party and government sources, the party high command is widely expected to brainstorm on resolving the issue of leadership tussle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, as well as discuss the upcoming elections for 4 Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka as it may win 3 seats. The issue of implementing SIR of voter list in the state may also come up in the meeting.
Own claims of Shiv-Siddha supporters
Shivakumar’s supporters are continuously pressuring that he should be promoted. He says that the alleged power-sharing agreement made with Siddaramaiah at the time of the party’s victory in the 2023 assembly elections should be followed.
On the other hand, Siddaramaiah repeatedly reiterated that he will complete his 5-year tenure. He also said that he will follow the decision of the high command and if the party calls him, he will go to Delhi for discussions. It is also being said from Shivkumar’s side that he will follow the decision of the party leadership, hence the activities happening in Delhi will be continuously monitored.
Demand to make Dalit CM also
Many leaders of AHINDA (Kannada acronym for Minorities, Backward Classes and Dalits) in the Congress, who are considered supporters of Siddaramaiah, say that if the leadership changes, then one of their own should get this prestigious post. Besides, the demand for a “Dalit Chief Minister” is also being raised, in which a section of the party is putting forward the name of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while the name of Home Minister G. The name of God is also being discussed.
At the same time, there is a continuous demand from a large section of MLAs that there should be a reshuffle in the cabinet soon and by removing some of the existing ministers, they should be given the opportunity to work as ministers. Some of these MLAs have already visited Delhi to meet the party high command in this regard, while some of them are planning another visit to the national capital by the end of this month to press for the reshuffle.
Leave a Reply