BENGALURU: The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has reportedly received reports from various sources, including election strategist Sunil Kanugol, on the repercussions, if any changes are made in the Congress government in Karnataka. According to highly placed sources, this is the reason why Rahul has kept the decision on the change of guard in the state on hold.
While Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is yet to get an audience with Rahul, Siddaramaiah sympathisers—MLC BK Hariprasad and Minister KJ George—met the LoP recently and reportedly voiced their opinion against any change in chief minister.
RDPR and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge also met Rahul, but it is not known what transpired between them.
According to informed sources, Rahul has got reports from various sources, including Kanugol, suggesting that the time is not ideal for any change in leadership in Karnataka.
Recently, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge had said that the confusion over leadership exists only in the party’s state unit and not with the high command.
Also, AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala are busy in their states of Kerala and Haryana, respectively. While Venugopal is eyeing the CM post if the Congress wins in Kerala, Surjewala aspires to become the Haryana PCC chief, party insiders said.
This means that the decision on power sharing in Karnataka lies only with Rahul Gandhi, sources said. But, Rahul is expected to go on a Europe trip after attending the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi on December 27 and return only after January 10. Until then, there would be no decision— either on a cabinet reshuffle or a CM change in the state.
In all probability, Siddaramaiah is likely to break the record set by D Devaraj Urs as the longest-serving CM. Siddaramaiah will break the record on January 6, completing 7 years and 238 days in office. Also, Siddaramaiah is expected to present a record 17th budget, sources said.
Siddu to leave for Delhi today
CM Siddaramaiah will leave for Delhi on Friday evening (December 26) and meet party Central leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge on the sidelines of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting to be held on December 27.
He is also likely to meet union ministers during his visit and discuss projects concerning Karnataka. It is unlikely that he will take up the issue of a change in leadership or a cabinet reshuffle. The CM is expected to visit Delhi after Rahul returns from his Europe trip and seek approval for the cabinet reshuffle, sources added.