Curtains for Siddaramaiah? Buzz over meet with Congress brass amid power tussle

Speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka has intensified once again after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought a meeting with the Congress high command. Sources said Siddaramaiah spoke to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who informed him that he would be called to Delhi soon.

According to sources, Siddaramaiah wants to discuss a possible Cabinet reshuffle with the party leadership.

At the same time, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, whose supporters have been pressing for him to take over as Chief Minister, has reportedly conveyed to the leadership that any decision should be taken only after addressing the alleged “2.5-year promise”.

Several MLAs and Congress leaders loyal to Shivakumar have recently stepped up their demand for a leadership change as the government completed half of its term. They maintain that the Congress leadership had agreed to a 2.5-year power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar when the government was formed.

Adding to the speculation, Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi "the curtains will fall" on the matter as suspense over the leadership issue may end soon in the Delhi meeting.

“They will call us to Delhi as soon as possible. Since it will be settled there, there is no need for me to say anything here. Yes, the curtain will fall,” he said when asked about the possibility of a leadership change.

Jarkiholi said discussions on the issue would take place and a final decision would eventually emerge.

Meanwhile, senior Congress MLA KN Rajanna claimed that informal discussions on a possible leadership change may have taken place in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, where Congress leaders had gathered for the swearing-in ceremony of Kerala’s new chief minister.

However, Rajanna said that if Siddaramaiah were to be replaced, Home Minister G Parameshwara should be made the next Chief Minister.

There has also been growing demand within sections of the party for a “Dalit CM”, with Parameshwara being viewed as a leading contender.

Speculation surrounding a possible leadership change and Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka gained further momentum following the formation of the new government in Kerala.

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