Bengaluru : Political developments in Karnataka gathered pace on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah scheduled to host a key breakfast meeting on Thursday amid speculation over a possible change in leadership. The meeting has sparked intense political interest, with indications that Siddaramaiah may announce his decision later in the day.
Senior Congress leaders are expected to arrive in Bengaluru to closely monitor the situation. AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and party general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal are likely to oversee the developments as the party weighs its next steps. As political uncertainty continues in the state, Surjewala also refuted all allegations surrounding an immediate leadership change. He clarified that the Congress has not convened a legislature party meeting in Karnataka and said no formal decision has been taken so far.
His current deputy and possible successor, D K Shivakumar and other cabinet colleagues attended the breakfast meeting. Siddaramaiah is expected to make the announcement after the breakfast meeting, sources said. Photos shared by the Chief Minister’s Office showed Siddaramaiah embracing Shivakumar. In another image, Shivakumar was seen seeking Siddaramaiah’s blessings by touching his feet.
Ministers including Priyank Kharge, KJ George, MB Patil, Ramalinga Reddy and HK Patil also attended the meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence under heightened security arrangements. The meeting assumes significance as rumours of a change in leadership have once again gained momentum, despite repeated attempts by the Congress leadership to downplay such claims. Discussions over a possible transition have periodically surfaced since the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its tenure in Karnataka.
The Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, had held several hours of discussions with Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar, both jointly and separately in Delhi recently. While some reports claim the Congress high command may be leaning towards a change and has conveyed its position to Siddaramaiah, the party has publicly rejected such suggestions.
However, Lok Bhavan officials said on Thursday that Siddaramaiah has not yet sought time to meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. This comes a day after top sources in the chief minister’s office on Wednesday said Siddaramaiah has sought time to meet Gehlot today. Lok Bhavan officials said that Gehlot is in his home town, Indore, in Madhya Pradesh. When asked whether the chief minister has sought time to meet Gehlot, a top Lok Bhavan official said, “His Excellency is not here. There is no such information. As of now, there is no such message or information”.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Federation of Backward Class Communities warned the Congress and its high command that the party will face consequences if Siddaramaiah is replaced. Asserting that Congress came to power because of the support of backward class and AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) communities, federation leaders said there is no other leader of Siddaramaiah’s stature in the Congress party, and warned of agitation if he is made to step down.
Read Also : Karnataka CM Mystery Deepens as Siddaramaiah Mulls Exit, Governor Away From Bengaluru