The Congress leadership is reportedly edging closer to a leadership transition in Karnataka, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah bein...
The Congress leadership is reportedly edging closer to a leadership transition in Karnataka, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah being offered what sources described as an honourable exit package that could include a Rajya Sabha seat and a larger role within the party organisation.
Sources indicated that Siddaramaiah could step down within the next few days, after which a Congress Legislature Party meeting may be convened, possibly over the weekend. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is widely seen as the frontrunner to take over as chief minister.
The developments gathered pace after Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar held marathon discussions in Delhi with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala. The meetings reportedly lasted for nearly six hours.
According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi held a separate one-on-one conversation with Siddaramaiah during which he urged the veteran leader to take on a national responsibility within the Congress. Siddaramaiah was reportedly asked to convey his decision within a week.
Speaking to reporters later alongside both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, KC Venugopal dismissed speculation surrounding a change in leadership. He maintained that the meetings were focused only on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.
However, insiders claimed Siddaramaiah told Rahul Gandhi that he had no particular interest in shifting to national politics. Rahul is learnt to have insisted that the Congress needed Siddaramaiah’s experience and political weight at the national level to strengthen the party organisation.
Sources within the party said Rahul Gandhi had until now resisted pressure from some senior leaders who favoured replacing Siddaramaiah in Karnataka, believing the current chief minister still had an important role to play.
Party insiders further said Siddaramaiah requested time to consult his close supporters before taking a final call. During the discussions, he reportedly indicated that he would prefer resigning rather than openly disagreeing with Rahul Gandhi, who had backed him for the chief minister’s post on two occasions despite Siddaramaiah often being viewed as an outsider within the Congress establishment.
Sources indicated that Siddaramaiah could step down within the next few days, after which a Congress Legislature Party meeting may be convened, possibly over the weekend. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is widely seen as the frontrunner to take over as chief minister.
The developments gathered pace after Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar held marathon discussions in Delhi with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala. The meetings reportedly lasted for nearly six hours.
According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi held a separate one-on-one conversation with Siddaramaiah during which he urged the veteran leader to take on a national responsibility within the Congress. Siddaramaiah was reportedly asked to convey his decision within a week.
Speaking to reporters later alongside both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, KC Venugopal dismissed speculation surrounding a change in leadership. He maintained that the meetings were focused only on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.
However, insiders claimed Siddaramaiah told Rahul Gandhi that he had no particular interest in shifting to national politics. Rahul is learnt to have insisted that the Congress needed Siddaramaiah’s experience and political weight at the national level to strengthen the party organisation.
Sources within the party said Rahul Gandhi had until now resisted pressure from some senior leaders who favoured replacing Siddaramaiah in Karnataka, believing the current chief minister still had an important role to play.
Party insiders further said Siddaramaiah requested time to consult his close supporters before taking a final call. During the discussions, he reportedly indicated that he would prefer resigning rather than openly disagreeing with Rahul Gandhi, who had backed him for the chief minister’s post on two occasions despite Siddaramaiah often being viewed as an outsider within the Congress establishment.