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
A very good reply by CM and excellent comparison of Karnataka with the jungle raj UP.
We need no lessons here, especially from sectarian leaders of the North.
Well said , BY our CM, Hats off to you! Dear Siddaramaih Humble peace loving CM of KARNATAKA
sir, reasonably all were hindus. INDIA invaders made attacks and several sects were forceful followed the other category I feel!
ALL ARE HINDUS . BUT SOMETIMES SOMEBODIES FEELTHAT TEY ARE!
2 c.m. of YOGI MAY HAD DONE REMARKS AS TUTTURI BECAUSE THEY ARE LEAST AQUENTED WITH KARNATAKA.
THERE WERE KINGS AND QUEENS RULING INDIA ONE OF THOSE MAY BE TIPPU AGAINST BRITISH!! ONLY MERITS OF TIPPU BE COUNTED FOR CELEBRATIONS AFTER INDEPENDENCE> THERE MAY NOT BE ANY SPECIALTY BUT WILL!
* HANUMAN is treated as WIND GOD and there is no need to compare with TIPPU(DEEP) i FEEL!
** YOGY WAS OF VISIT FOR PRIVATE CAUSE AND THERE WAS NO NEDOF CRITICIZING KARNATAKA ADMINISTRATION. WHICH KNOWN LITTLE FACT OF IT TO HIM!!. NOT GOOD TO PEEP IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF OTHER STATE IS FEDARAL STATE POLICY!!
Karnataka state comes under fit state of administration on federal ground - in all respects, the speaker must study before making any comments about Karnataka.Hanuman differs from any kings of India now and before also
Double agent Hindus like you do anything for power & money
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