New Delhi, Feb 17: The Congress high command is likely to announce the party’s key troubleshooter in Karnataka, DK Shivakumar as the next state unit president with MB Patil as the working president, according to party leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity, in what could be a delicate balancing act between competing caste claims in the state..
Former CM S Siddaramaiah is likely to continue as the Congress Legislature Party leader, the leaders added.
The KPCC presidentship has been vacant ever since the incumbent Dinesh Gundu Rao resigned following the defeat in the bypolls, in which the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) won 12 of the 15 seats, ensuring a majority for itself in the state assembly.
The state leadership issue became contentious following that, with Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, lobbying to ensure that his role as party’s main go-to man during difficult times be rewarded, the leaders cited above said. Patil, a former home minister and a Lingayat leader, was the favoured choice of Siddaramaiah, they added.
A former minister in the Siddaramiah cabinet told HT on condition of anonymity the appointment was now “just a formality”.
“How long could the current uncertainty continue? Shivakumar is a go-getter who can also help generate funds for the party. For instance, on the Bidar school sedition issue, we were late and started an agitation only after the accused got bail. With Shivakumar at the helm, we will be more aggressive and able to put the BJP government on a mat by highlighting all their omissions and commissions,” the former minister added.
The decision to appoint Shivakumar -- a seven-term MLA who served in the cabinets of former CMs S Bangarappa, SM Krishna, Siddaramiah and HD Kumaraswamy -- is likely to be a controversial one. He faces ongoing income tax and Enforcement Directorate (ED) probes, is currently on bail after being jailed by the ED in a money laundering case. He
In his 2018 poll affidavit, Shivakumar declared assets worth Rs 840 crore, making him one of the richest politicians in the state. His brother DK Suresh is a two term parliamentarian and is the sitting MP from the Bangalore Rural constituency.
Shivakumar’s latest move to build the world’s largest Christ statue in his constituency in Kanakapura has also come in for severe attack from Sangh Parivar outfits, who claim the land he donated was government-owned and illegally usurped by him.
Political analyst Manjunath said that Shivakumar, if appointed, is likely to inject a great degree of dynamism into the functioning of the party.
“He sees himself as a future Chief Minister and is very ambitious. If the appointments are confirmed, it will only vindicate the fact that the party high command has tried to balance caste interests by having a Vokkilga, a Lingayat and a Kuruba – the three leading castes in the state - heading different parts of the party. Also since the BJP is making a concerted effort to break into the Vokkaliga votebank, nominating Shivakumar would be a smart move to consolidate the community behind the party,” he said.
Comments
Its all like a Drama.... nee Atta haage maadu.. naaa hodeda haage maduttene...
If you have real concern about Mangalore Minority, Please please please arrest him.. your own government your own administration.
Hello Kodichal bhai, why sou moto case ? Let the people know that You or your Congressmen doesn't have guts to register a case against him. Wear Bangles and sit at home, your prepoll planned press conference will not give any mileage. We all know you guys want bhatta or any other card to use it for your election purpose. Know one is dependent on Karnataka congress government. Also tell ministers in DK to wear saree and sit at home. Don't worry about Bhatta, we know how to deal with him and out to prevent communal harmony.
Haji Ibrahim Bhai.
Two years back same bhatta barked at Gurupura against Muslims, the same congress party is ruling karnataka... Until now no any action taken against him.
Youth congRSS president Mithun Rai shouted at Gurupura, in future if bhatta going to speak anywhere he will take hindu youngsters of congRSS to stop his speech. Where is now this mithun?
You congRSS people can fool all the muslims one time, not all the time.
We now understand what is congRSS, and what is BJP.
Stop drama.... arrest bhatta now and put him behind jail for long time. then only we can understand original congress is ruling karnataka.
dont give any press conference.
No use of making bow, bow ...... in the public....Bhatta is ready with Anticipatory bill.... Still you trust xxxxxx cong ....
Shame on you kodichal.
Your own party ruling the karnataka.
Don't do drama in front of the people. There is no need to announce openly to arrest Batta. Order police to arrest him and put into cell.
What a drama?? you congress people are best for drama only, you people are in power and you people begging with police, shame on you congress.. Congress cheating people only with statement. Muslims also blindly supporting these people. what a tragedy.
These useless leaders are joking their selves! When the people gave them power why to fear RSS??? Or Is RSS controlling Congress Leaders??? Next time please don't come to ask for vote by showing RSS fear!!! People of Dk understood the Reality.
Your own Siddramulla Khan is ruling Karnataka. prior to last election he had promised to take action against Bhat. now his partymen want advice from Bhat's pariwar.
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