BENGALURU: With ministers aligned to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seem to have decided to sacrifice their posts to help him reshuffle the cabinet and continue in his post, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, aspiring to be the next CM, has a fresh task cut out for him. If the high command gives its nod for the reshuffle and lets Siddaramaiah continue as CM after he completes two-and-a-half years in office, Shivakumar is likely to exert pressure on the top leadership for a fresh deal.
It is widely believed that the party high command oversaw an agreement in 2023 where the CM post was to be shared equally between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. But Siddaramaiah has denied there is any such pact.
RDPR and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday said that if the cabinet has to be reshuffled or power has to change hands, both the CM and DCM will decide in consultation with the high command.
Close on the heels of Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan saying he is ready to quit to help Siddaramaiah reshuffle the cabinet, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Saturday said he too will resign if the high command asks him to.
“When the party came to power, there was a proposal that opportunity should be given to those who deserved to be ministers but sat outside. I have no idea when and what the high command will decide, whether it will be a cabinet reshuffle or change of guard,” he said.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao is also likely to quit. Both Gowda and Dinesh could be given the party’s organisational responsibility, sources said.
“Siddaramaiah will reshuffle the cabinet by November last week. It will help the party face the upcoming polls to five GBA corporations and ZP/TPs with new energy, and overcome anti-incumbency,” a ministerial aspirant said. AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal is also in favour of the reshuffle and Siddaramaiah continuing as CM, another source said.
The dinner the CM hosted for his cabinet colleagues recently seems to have helped him reshuffle the cabinet and continue as CM, as some ministers seem to be convinced about sacrificing their posts.
If Siddaramaiah reshuffles the cabinet after Bihar polls, it will be a setback for Shivakumar. But it is to be seen whether the top leadership takes the risk of changing the CM or wait for some more time for a smooth transition, analysts said.
CM to visit Delhi on November 15
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to visit New Delhi on November 15, the day after Bihar poll results. This visit will be crucial as he completes two-and-a-half years in office on November 20. He is said to be eager to continue in the post and wants to first reshuffle the cabinet. It is to be seen whether the agreement on power transfer, reportedly happened when the party came to power in 2023, will feature during his meetings with leaders.
RDPR and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the Chief Minister is only taking part in the release of the autobiography of senior leader and Supreme Court lawyer Kapil Sibal. “The CM may meet AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP in LS Rahul Gandhi, senior leader Sonia Gandhi, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal... What’s wrong with it,” he said.
