BENGALURU: With both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar eager to meet Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday, the issue of change in guard is likely to come up for discussion. But both leaders have maintained that their visit to Delhi is to pursue the state’s development projects. However, both have sought appointments with Rahul for one-on-one talks.
Siddaramaiah told reporters that he will meet Rahul if he gets an appointment. “Randeep Singh Surjewala (AICC general secretary, Karnataka in-charge) will arrive in New Delhi. We will discuss the nomination to four MLC seats and appointments to boards and corporations.” The CM said he has also sought an appointment with PM Narendra Modi to take up state issues.
Shivakumar spoke along the same lines and mentioned that the nomination of four MLCs will be done ahead of the next Assembly session. He said, “I have not met Sonia Gandhi, but I have sought time,” he said.
Rahul arrived in Delhi on Wednesday evening and there are indications that he would meet both the leaders.
“No discussion on cabinet reshuffle. We have come here to discuss developmental works as some road-widening projects in Bengaluru need Defence land,” Shivakumar maintained.
The duo, along with their cabinet colleagues including KJ George, MB Patil and Byrathi Suresh and senior leader TB Jayachandra, met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday requesting permission for an air show during Mysuru Dasara.
Shivakumar reportedly met Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at Sonia Gandhi’s residence on Wednesday morning, adding fuel to speculation.
AICC general secretary continues to meet MLAs
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge is in Bengaluru, which could mean that Rahul has to decide on any change in leadership or placate the two leaders, sources said. Surjewala, who met most Congress MLAs and assessed their mood through an exhaustive exercise in two legs of his visit, is likely to report it to Rahul. Some MLAs have sought a change in CM, while others have batted for continuing with Siddaramaiah, sources said.
Shivakumar may put forth his demand for CM post, reminding the party about the agreement struck soon after Congress came to power in 2023. When Surjewala and another AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal were in Bengaluru recently, Shivakumar is said to have reminded them about the pact. Sources, however, said the leadership change issue may not come up at all before Rahul. Only the nomination of four MLCs and appointments to boards and corporations would be discussed, they added.
As Surjewala continued to meet MLAs, Beluru Gopalkrishna and BK Sangamesh expressed their desire to become ministers, sources said. He heard the grievances of MLAs UB Banakar, Prakash Koliwad among others. After wrapping up his exercise and meeting over 100 MLAs, Surjewala will head to Delhi on Thursday. He said that the visit of CM and DyCM to Delhi is to do with pursuing development works with the Centre. He will meet MPs and ministers in his next leg of exercise.
