Congress leadership tussle in Karnataka gains traction again

After the crescendo over leadership change and a purported ‘November Revolution’ in the Congress had died down, the public discussion over leadership has regained traction in the ruling party.

While Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s social media posts on Saturday about he being targeted garnered political interest, demand for a Dalit Chief Minister has regained momentum.

On Sunday, Social Welfare Minister H.C. Mahadevappa urged the Congress high command and Mr. Siddaramaiah to take a decision to appoint a suitable Dalit leader as the Chief Minister. He cited that there was a considerably big Dalit population in the State, which had stood by the Congress. “Currently, Mr. Siddaramaiah is the Chief Minister and a Dalit Chief Minister has to happen. When discussions are happening around leadership, this (Dalit Chief Minister issue) has come up,” he told reporters.

His comments came on the day that the Chief Minister made another statement on the possibility of a Vokkaliga or a Dalit leader becoming Chief Minister only through the Congress.

Over the last fortnight, the leadership issue has again come up with the Chief Minister’s son Yathindra Siddaramaiah and Dr. Mahadevappa making statements in favour of Mr. Siddaramaiah’s continuation, even as legislators Iqbal Hussain, H.C. Balakrishna, and Shivaganga Basavaraj have supported Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. An overseas trip of over two dozen Congress legislators is also being seen as an effort from the Chief Minister’s camp to display their strength amid the leadership struggle.

‘High command has come to a conclusion’

Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi has claimed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had told him that the high command had come to a conclusion on the leadership issue and it would be implemented at an appropriate time. The Valmiki community leader, who is believed to be angling for the KPCC president’s post, was accompanied by former Minister K.N. Rajanna, another Valmiki leader and several legislators from North Karnataka.  

On Sunday, Mr. Jarkiholi, however, told reporters in Belagavi: “This trip was not in support of any individual leader. We have not heard anything about mid-term changes. The rest is left to the party high command. We have no idea about changes to the State leadership after the Budget. We have told our senior leaders to end the confusion as it could damage the party’s prospects in the coming elections.”

Further, he said: “Mr. Kharge has given us a clear signal that the issue will be resolved. We do not know how it will be resolved. But it will surely be resolved soon.”

DKS asks supporters to shut up

Meanwhile, Mr. Shivakumar said: “I request all my supporters to keep quiet. They should not make any statement about the leadership change in Karnataka. If leaders like Mr. Hussein, Mr. Ganiga, and Mr. Basavaraju keep their mouths shut, it will be good for me. I urge them to keep their mouths shut.”

Speaking to reporters in Karwar over speculation of Ministers going to Delhi, he said: “Visit of some ministers and party legislators to Delhi may be for work related to their departments. All of those who visited Delhi are our own people. Let us see what the trips were for and what are their implications.’’