BENGALURU: Though CM Siddaramaiah returned to Bengaluru from Delhi on Friday night, Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara staying back and meeting Rahul Gandhi and others has led to speculation about a change in guard in Karnataka soon. The CM, accompanied by DyCM DK Shivakumar and others, held talks with the Congress high command on the likely repercussions of the High Court verdict on MUDA case.
Dr Parameshwara held a meeting with AICC general secretary(organisation) KC Venugopal on Saturday for about one hour at the latter’s residence in New Delhi. What transpired between them is not known.
But Venugopal, considered a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi, strongly backed Siddaramaiah to continue as CM, according to sources. In the event of a change in guard, he and Siddaramaiah will play a key role, the sources added.
It all depends on the order of the high court, which will hear the case on August 29. Siddaramaiah has challenged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s sanction to prosecute him in the case.
Dr Parameshwara also met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, according to a source.
Nothing unusual: HM
Addressing reporters, Dr Parameshwara, however, maintained that there was nothing unusual about his meetings with top Congress leaders. Whenever he visits New Delhi, he will meet the party leaders, he added. “Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar discussed with the party high command (on Friday) the pros and cons of the HC order likely to be delivered on August 29. We are fighting the case legally and a political decision is needed after the HC order,” he said.
AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Friday hinted that the party will fight the case in courts, including the Supreme Court (in case the verdict goes against Siddaramaiah).
Meanwhile, Shivakumar, who also stayed back in New Delhi, visited Vaishno Devi temple, according to a source.