Ahead of crucial Congress meeting, Karnataka CM has breakfast with loyalists in Delhi

Ahead of a crucial meeting with the central leadership of the Congress party on May 26, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a breakfast meeting with his ministers and party colleagues at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi.

Senior ministers G. Parameshwara, M. B. Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, K. J. George, and Byrathi Suresh, along with MLC B. K. Hariprasad and the Chief Minister’s legal adviser A. S. Ponnanna, attended the meeting.

The Congress high command has convened a meeting with Mr. Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D. K. Shivakumar at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

Key issues likely to figure in the discussions include a possible reshuffle of the State Cabinet, selection of candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections, and appointments to the Legislative Council.

Despite intense speculation over a possible leadership change in the State Government, party sources indicated that there would be no change in the CM’s post for now.

Several senior MLAs and MLCs have been demanding a Cabinet reshuffle to secure ministerial berths.

Mr. Shivakumar and his brother D. K. Suresh also reached the party office in New Delhi to discuss various issues with senior party leaders.

While the Chief Minister is reportedly keen on a Cabinet reshuffle, Mr. Shivakumar is said to be aspiring for the top post in the Congress government. He has made multiple visits to Delhi to lobby for the CM’s position.

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and the party’s general secretaries are expected to attend the meeting.

The party’s general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala welcomed the Chief Minister at the party office.