Dinner meeting of DKS supporters create a buzz

A day after Yathindra, MLC and son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reiterated for the second time in a week that the Congress high command has ruled out any immediate change of leadership in Karnataka, a dinner meeting in Belagavi attended by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar created a buzz in political circles.

After a brief lull following the breakfast meeting of the two leaders, the public discourse on leadership has resumed even as the State Legislature Session is under way.

Though Mr. Shivakumar himself played down the meeting as non-political, the dinner hosted on Thursday night by former Belagavi District Congress Committee president Doddannavar, attended by the Deputy Chief Minister and at least two dozen legislators, became the talking point. Among those present at the dinner were expelled BJP legislators Shivaram Hebbar and S.T. Somashekar, who are now seen often with Congress leaders, and at least two Cabinet Ministers. It is being speculated as a message of show of strength being given by the Deputy Chief Minister’s camp.

‘Need no support’

Mr. Shivakumar insisted it was no show of strength. “Nobody needs to come in my support,” he insisted. About repeated statements by Mr. Yathindra, he said, “The Chief Minister will respond to all that”. Asked about his trip to Delhi, Mr. Shivakumar said that he was going to attend the “vote theft” campaign event and nothing else.

Meanwhile, Mr. Somashekar said that Mr. Shivakumar had worked for the party and that he was hopeful of getting a chance. Iqbal Hussain, Congress MLA for Ramanagara, said that he was hopeful of Mr. Shivakumar becoming Chief Minister after the Winter Session. In a more direct reference to Mr. Yathindra, Shivaganga V. Basavaraj, MLA for Channagiri, questioned the propriety of an MLC speaking out of turn about what the high command would decide.

On the other hand, Energy Minister K.J. George and Public Works Minister Satish Jharkiholi downplayed the dinner meeting. Mr. Jharkiholi said that such parties are happening every day during the session. Incidentally, Mr. Siddaramaiah also attended a dinner hosted by Asif Sait, MLA for Belagavi North, earlier this week. “There is a system in the party and the high command will take a decision,” Mr. George said.

Baiting him to react

Sources close to Mr. Shivakumar said that not too much should be read into such meetings. “Mr. Shivakumar has not made any public statement on the leadership issue. A section of party leaders is trying to bait him to react. He is waiting for the high command decision”.

Sources said that the high command is expected to call both leaders to Delhi to discuss the matter after the Winter Session.