Karnataka Congress Crisis: Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar Meet Party High Command in Delhi

New Delhi/Bengaluru (IANS): Ahead of the high-voltage meeting over the speculated leadership change in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reached Indira Bhavan in Delhi on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, who is also in Delhi, simply smiled when media persons pressed him: “Sir, will you be the next Chief Minister of Karnataka?”

Siddaramaiah is scheduled to meet AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala at the party office. A meeting with Rahul Gandhi is also scheduled later in the day.

Both leaders arrived in Delhi late Monday night after the party’s national leadership summoned them: “Come to Delhi immediately.” Their respective camps are anxiously watching the developments amid rumours of a possible leadership change in Karnataka.

Before arriving at Indira Bhavan, Siddaramaiah had breakfast at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi along with Ministers G. Parameshwara, Satish Jarkiholi, H.C. Mahadevappa, Byrathi Suresh, K.J. George, and M.B. Patil, as well as senior Congress leader and Haryana in-charge B.K. Hariprasad and legal adviser Ponnanna, among other prominent leaders.

‘The entire party will abide by the high command’

PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, reacting to the developments, told reporters:

“There has been confusion in the party for the past six months, and we are confident that it will be cleared soon. We have not received any call from the high command, and we have come along with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The discussions have not started yet. Once the meeting is over, we will see how the discussions take shape.

We will also give our opinions on the post of KPCC President. We do not know whether this matter will be discussed in the meeting. The party is facing many issues, and if the leadership issue is settled, everything else will get settled automatically. The entire party will abide by the decision of the high command.”

When reporters asked, “Do you plan to stay longer in Delhi?” Jarkiholi replied:

“We do not know yet. Once the meeting is held, things will become clearer.”

No leadership change?

Other senior leaders also spoke to the press, offering differing perspectives on the situation:

• B.K. Hariprasad (Congress MLC): “There is no discussion on leadership change. However, everything has now reached a final stage.”
• K.J. George (Energy Minister): “I do not speak about party matters. I have no authority to comment on party affairs. As far as I know, there is no confusion in the party. Everyone comes to Delhi because it is the power centre.”
• M.B. Patil (Large and Medium Industries Minister): “I cannot speak on what is in Rahul Gandhi’s mind,” he said, refraining from speculating on the outcome of the meeting or the possibility of a leadership change.

All eyes are now on the Congress party meeting scheduled between the high command, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM and Karnataka Congress President D.K. Shivakumar.