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.
The organisation's director Jasim Mohammad is credited with writing the Prime Minister's first Urdu biography, Narendrabhai Modi — Farsh Se Arsh Tak (Narendrabhai Modi – From the ground to the sky).
Comments
Scolarship
Mr. Jasim shame on you. You are not a muslim. Only name. You fool joining hand with corrupt and anti Islam people. You also go to hell.
His face and his body language shows he is corrupt and greedy we muslims don't want a person who killed our brothers sisters shadow also to fall on our future generation .shame on you
Ten scholarships of 5,000 each, that means 50,000 per year.... For such peanuts, you need the help of a PM... Shame on you..... Just visit the coastal districts, how the rich people are helping the poor with scholarship.....You and Modi will be ashamed of this......
Another boot licking creature...
This name sake muslim Jasim is another Shahnawaz khan who is a chela and chaddi of Feku and bjp. these people have sold their belief for the sake of power and money. shame on you Jasim for being so cheap for power + money. did you forget that Allah is the one who blesses us with power + wealth. Have you lost faith in Allah and are so faithful and trustful to these anti humanity. BJP is 100 percent against Muslims and Islam and this is fact. Are you also a part of them. If this is the case you should change your name to Jasim Rama Modi or Jasim Laxman Shah. Shame on people like you have joined hands with the enemies of Muslims. In sha Allah you will be taught a good lesson by the Creator and you will find no place to hide.
Political Gimmick & Self benefits. A.Chaddi game.
Mr. Jasim,
Please make public that how much money you received from these thieves.
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