Possible change of guard in Karnataka? Congress high command holds meeting with CM Siddaramaiah

NEW DELHI: The corridors of power in Delhi and Bengaluru are currently abuzz with a familiar yet intensified political speculation. As the Congress party navigates a period of significant political “churn” in Karnataka, Tuesday’s high-stakes meeting convened by the party’s high command is more than just a strategy session for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

In a significant development amid ongoing political churn, the Congress party high command held a high-stakes meeting to discuss the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections. The deliberations included AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Following the discussions, sources confirmed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a separate, one-on-one meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. According to sources privy to the discussions, the leadership has conveyed to the Chief Minister the need to pave the way for a potential leadership change in the state. While no specific deadline has been imposed on the veteran leader, sources indicated that several exit options were placed on the table.

Among the proposals discussed is a move for Siddaramaiah to transition into national politics, potentially through a nomination to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka. However, a final decision on the matter remains pending.

Sources stated that the party is expected to arrive at a roadmap only after a second round of deliberations between Rahul Gandhi and Siddaramaiah. Earlier, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that party candidates for the Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka will be announced along with candidates from other states.

The meeting took place in the presence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

“…we had a detailed meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, general secretary incharge of Karnataka (Randeep Singh Surjewala), and I were part of the discussion. The entire discussion was concentrated only on the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and Council Elections of Karnataka”, Venugopal said.

“Whatever speculation you people are doing is only speculation; no reality at all…The candidates of Rajya Sabha and Council seats of Karnataka will be announced along with the other seats like that from other states…This is what we decided today and nothing else,” he added.

Speculation around leadership change in the Karnataka Congress has been brewing since the government completed its two-and-a-half years of tenure last year. The speculation intensified after the Congress leadership invited Siddaramaiah for discussions. The Congress government in the state has completed three years.

Over the past 18 months, Shivakumar’s supporters have repeatedly claimed that he would soon take over as Chief Minister.

BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya criticised the Congress ‘High Command,’ calling it “weak and directionless”. “It is Congress’s misfortune that the high command has become so weak and directionless that it is no longer taken seriously by anyone. A similar situation was unfolding in Kerala, but it was averted due to the Chief Minister’s firmness. Had DK Shivakumar demonstrated such resolve at that time, he would not have reached this situation today,” Siroya said. (ANI)