There has been talk of change of leadership in the ruling Congress in Karnataka for a long time. However, no decision has been taken yet on the demand to change the Chief Minister. Now that State Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar is once again on a visit to New Delhi, political speculations have started regarding his visit. His visit is being linked to the possible change in leadership in the state after the budget session of the Karnataka Assembly. After the session, many party MLAs are preparing to meet the high command in Delhi.
According to official and party sources, Shivkumar left for the capital Delhi from Kalaburagi on Sunday evening along with Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge. Earlier in the day, both the leaders were present on the same stage while launching different development projects worth Rs 1,069 crore in Chittapur in the district.
According to Congress leader Shivkumar's schedule shared with the media, he is in New Delhi to attend a private event. He will return to Bengaluru during the day on Monday.
This issue has been raised repeatedly by the supporters of CM Siddaramaiah and Shivkumar regarding the post of Chief Minister in the state. Siddaramaiah himself has said that he will complete his tenure as Chief Minister. Amidst the ongoing tussle between Shivakumar, CM Siddaramaiah had said last Saturday that if the Congress high command gives him a chance, he can continue as the Chief Minister and can also present 2 more budgets.
Siddaramaiah had presented his record 17th budget as Finance Minister on Friday last week. However, now the news is that some MLAs very close to Shivkumar have expressed their intention to go to Delhi after the budget session of the Assembly to request the party high command to make their leader the next Chief Minister of the state. The budget session of the Assembly is going to end on March 27.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar is scheduled to host a dinner for all the ministers, Congress MLAs and MLCs of the state tomorrow on Tuesday (March 10) to mark his completion of 6 years as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President.
Earlier, amidst ongoing speculation about change of leadership in the state, Shivkumar had said on Tuesday last week that he is keeping 'full patience' and has no intention of starting a revolution regarding the post of Chief Minister. Shivakumar said that he has never talked publicly about the change in leadership, any discussion regarding the post of Chief Minister is completely between him, CM Siddaramaiah and the party high command.
However, many party leaders have expressed their displeasure for openly making statements regarding the CM post and MLAs have also been advised to avoid it. Emphasizing on party discipline, Shivkumar said that he does not want to be seen causing harm to the organization. He said, "Being the state president of the party, no one should say that I have done injustice to the party by taking this post. I do not want lakhs of workers to face problems because of me."
