The power struggle within the ruling Congress party in Karnataka shows no sign of abating. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the party's central high command must ultimately make the decision to bring an end to the ongoing confusion over leadership.
The Chief Minister reiterated that he would abide by the high command's decision concerning the issue of a change in leadership, adding that state legislators are free to meet the party hierarchy and share their opinions.
The internal party tussle has intensified amid speculation about a change of Chief Minister after the Congress government reached the halfway point of its five-year term on November 20. This speculation is fuelled by an alleged "power-sharing" agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar from 2023.
Responding to a question about a team of legislators backing Shivakumar travelling to Delhi, Siddaramaiah said: "Let them (legislators) go, MLAs have freedom. Let's see what opinion they give. Ultimately, the high command has to make the decision. We will abide by what the high command says."
When asked about a section of legislators appealing to the high command to settle the matter, he stated: "Whatever they (legislators) want to say, let them say to the high command. Ultimately, to put a full stop to this confusion, the high command has to take the decision."
Sources confirmed on Monday that a group of six Congress legislators supporting Shivakumar travelled to New Delhi on November 23 to meet with senior high command figures. A few more legislators are reportedly planning to travel soon to push for Shivakumar to take over as Chief Minister. Last week, approximately ten legislators who support Shivakumar also visited Delhi and met with All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge. To a question regarding a Cabinet reshuffle, the Chief Minister simply replied, "It will happen when the high command says." He also confirmed that he currently has no plans to meet with the top Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi.
In a related development, Shivakumar, who had not met AICC President Kharge while the latter was in the city over the past few days, yesterday accompanied him to the airport as he departed for the national capital. Siddaramaiah, on the other hand, held a meeting lasting more than an hour with Kharge at his residence in Bengaluru on Saturday, amidst the ongoing leadership dispute.
According to party insiders, the Chief Minister is pushing for a Cabinet reshuffle, whereas Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on the leadership change. Several sources suggest that if the Congress high command approves the reshuffle, it would signal that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to complete the full five-year term, effectively scuttling Shivakumar’s chances of securing the coveted post. The Chief Minister reiterated that he would abide by the high command's decision concerning the issue of a change in leadership, adding that state legislators are free to meet the party hierarchy and share their opinions. The internal party tussle has intensified amid speculation about a change of Chief Minister after the Congress government reached the halfway point of its five-year term on November 20. This speculation is fuelled by an alleged "power-sharing" agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar from 2023.
Responding to a question about a team of legislators backing Shivakumar travelling to Delhi, Siddaramaiah said: "Let them (legislators) go, MLAs have freedom. Let's see what opinion they give. Ultimately, the high command has to make the decision. We will abide by what the high command says."
When asked about a section of legislators appealing to the high command to settle the matter, he stated: "Whatever they (legislators) want to say, let them say to the high command. Ultimately, to put a full stop to this confusion, the high command has to take the decision."
Sources confirmed on Monday that a group of six Congress legislators supporting Shivakumar travelled to New Delhi on November 23 to meet with senior high command figures. A few more legislators are reportedly planning to travel soon to push for Shivakumar to take over as Chief Minister.
In a related development, Shivakumar, who had not met AICC President Kharge while the latter was in the city over the past few days, yesterday accompanied him to the airport as he departed for the national capital. Siddaramaiah, on the other hand, held a meeting lasting more than an hour with Kharge at his residence in Bengaluru on Saturday, amidst the ongoing leadership dispute.
According to party insiders, the Chief Minister is pushing for a Cabinet reshuffle, whereas Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on the leadership change. Several sources suggest that if the Congress high command approves the reshuffle, it would signal that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to complete the full five-year term, effectively scuttling Shivakumar’s chances of securing the coveted post.
Also read: Siddaramaiah meets PM Modi, presses for sugarcane price, AIIMS
Follow us
