Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is, reportedly, hosting a dinner for all cabinet ministers on October 13, sources have disclosed. This comes amid intense speculation regarding a potential cabinet reshuffle and a possible change in the state's leadership.
During discussions with the All India Congress Committee (AICC) high command, the Chief Minister is said to have indicated plans for a cabinet reshuffle in November, following the completion of his first two-and-a-half years in office.
Sources suggest that the Chief Minister intends to drop as many as 50 per cent of the current ministers and introduce new faces. Party insiders believe that bringing in approximately 15 new ministers in November could make it significantly more difficult for the high command to replace the Chief Minister immediately, as a newly formed cabinet would already be in place.
The planned reshuffle, strategically set to occur after the Bihar elections, appears to be an attempt to consolidate the Chief Minister’s position within the party ahead of any potential decisions regarding the leadership.
When asked about the prospective changes, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar told reporters, "I don’t know any such information; this is left to the Chief Minister. We all work for the party. I will not interfere in any of it. This is left to the Chief Minister and the party."
Speculation over a leadership change has been rife within the Congress party in Karnataka. Shivakumar, along with several other leaders, has previously hinted at a potential change of guard after two-and-a-half years, which has consistently raised questions about Siddaramaiah's full tenure.
Despite this, the Congress has consistently maintained that there will be no leadership change in Karnataka, with party figures stressing that all decisions regarding leadership rest with the high command.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwar dismissed the reshuffle rumours, stating, "You’d have to ask the Chief Minister about a reshuffle. The high command, at different times, keeps rating the ministers; it’s an ongoing process. Who said ‘November revolution’? Hasn’t the Chief Minister called for a dinner meeting? What’s the occasion for dinner? There’s no agenda, the dinner itself is the agenda. We will all talk casually. It’s just a casual meeting."
Amid this backdrop, chants of "Next Chief Minister DK Shivakumar" were heard in Kolar’s Malur taluk on Thursday night, where the Deputy Chief Minister was attending a local function. Supporters greeted him with "Next Chief Minister DK" slogans, further fuelling talk of internal power dynamics within the state Congress unit.
In a related development, three Dalit ministers — G Parameshwar, Satish Jarkiholi, and Mahadevappa — reportedly held a private breakfast meeting in a Bangalore apartment, according to sources. They are said to have discussed the potential course of action for Dalit leaders should there be a change of Chief Minister, deliberating on their next steps. Reports suggest that the Dalit ministers are contemplating pushing Parameshwar as the Chief Minister candidate for their faction.
Also read: Karnataka caste survey to be completed by Oct 19: Siddaramaiah
Follow us
