Bengaluru: Speculation over a leadership change in Karnataka has intensified, with reports claiming Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has agreed “in principle” to step aside to allow Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to take over.
According to information circulating in party circles, the Congress high command summoned both leaders to Delhi to address the ongoing tussle over the chief minister’s post. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar reportedly travelled separately to the capital along with their supporters.
At the Congress office in Delhi, Siddaramaiah held discussions with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary K.C. Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala. Separate talks were also held with Shivakumar, followed by a joint meeting. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi later met Siddaramaiah privately for over half an hour.
After the meetings, Venugopal told reporters the discussions were limited to upcoming elections to Rajya Sabha and the Karnataka Legislative Council, and urged that there was “no room for speculation.” Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar did not speak to the media and left separately.
Party sources, however, claim Rahul Gandhi offered Siddaramaiah a Rajya Sabha berth if he relinquishes the CM post, along with an assurance that Siddaramaiah’s son Yathindra would be made Deputy Chief Minister. The report said Siddaramaiah initially resisted but later agreed, and that a decision from the party leadership is expected in the coming days.
