The proposed meeting with the party high command of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar has created a stir in political circles. Sources said that the two leaders can meet Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday evening and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
Although Siddaramaiah and Shivkumar have said that their visit to Delhi was related to their official work, but their meeting with top leaders is important in view of ministers and legislators in view of the leadership change in the state and indication of dissatisfaction in the party.
Congress General Secretary and Karnataka in -charge Randeep Singh Surjewala is camping in Bengaluru and is resolving their issues by meeting with ministers and MLAs.
Surjewala on Tuesday refused to comment on the ongoing discussions regarding the change of leadership in the state and said it is no longer relevant. He also indicated that such decisions are to be taken by the party high command.
Although Surjewala refused to take any kind of opinion on the change of leadership, BJP state president BY Vijayendra said that the Congress General Secretary is preparing the basis for change of leadership till November or December.
The MLA is outspoken despite strict instructions not to publicly discussed the party leaders, including the party and government’s internal affairs, which also includes the issue of leadership change. Some Congress MLAs are angry with the government. Kagwad MLA Raju Kagi has threatened to resign due to lack of development in his constituency.
Alund MLA BR Patil recently alleged corruption in the housing scheme for poor families. Supporting him, another Congress MLA from Belur Gopal Krishna demanded Housing Minister Bi Z Zameer Ahmed Khan to resign.
Significantly, Cooperative Minister KN Rajanna predicted a major progress in September.
Amid a meeting with MLAs by Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he would complete his five -year term. In response, some Congress MLAs, including Ramnagar MLA HA Iqbal Hussain of Shivkumar camp, insisted that they want their leaders to become the Chief Minister.
Shivkumar, who is also the state president of the Congress, not only said that he would follow the party line, but he also issued a show cause notice to his supporter MLA Hussain for his statement.
Deputy Chief Minister and his brother D.K. Suresh, who is a former MP, has said that the post of Chief Minister is not vacant.
After the declaration of the assembly election results in May 2023, there was a tough competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivkumar for the post of Chief Minister, and the Congress managed to convince Shivkumar and made him Deputy Chief Minister.
At that time there were some reports that an agreement has been reached on the basis of “Rotational Chief Minister Formula”, according to which Shivkumar will become CM in November 2025 after two and a half years, but it has not been officially confirmed by the party.
