There appears to be a strong buzz about a change of guard in the Congress-ruled Karnataka fuelled by some recent developments, including meetings between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara.
While Siddaramaiah is expected to try his best to continue as CM, others in the race are also leaving no stone unturned to dislodge him, say sources. However, after the feedback from MLAs and state leaders on crucial issues, the situation may also change. In case there is pressure from the central leadership, Siddaramaiah would prefer to have Parameshwara as his successor, they add.
Leaders close to Siddaramaiah dismissed the speculations but of late there were also rumours of AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge taking over as the CM.
According to Shivakumar loyalists, the Deputy CM will take over as the next CM.
There was an agreement at the high command level that there would be a change in leadership after two and a half years. Siddaramaiah must pass the baton so that Shivakumar can become the CM, they add.
Some Congress MLAs have also been raising voices against Siddaramaiah and Congress’ Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala is also in the state capital to hear their grievances over the next couple of days, sources confirm
Amid speculations about a change in leadership in the government and the state party leadership, Surjewala is also expected to assess the mood of the MLAs and others and report to the party high command.
Sources said, Surjewala may also evaluate the performance of the government and its ministers so that the high command can decide whether to reshuffle the Siddaramaiah cabinet or bring about a change in the Chief Minister. He is also expected to gather information on the implementation of the guarantees and the party’s organisational strength at the grassroots level.
Recently, Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna also predicted changes in state politics after September but according to Siddaramaia’s loyalists the high command has not issued any instructions for his father to step down.
