As Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah approaches the halfway mark of his term, fresh speculation is swirling around a possible leadership change in the state — and the idea of a Dalit CM is once again doing the rounds.
Recent back-to-back meetings between Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara, CM Siddaramaiah, and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar have set off political chatter about a potential succession plan. According to The New Indian Express, senior Congress insiders believe that if Siddaramaiah is pushed to step down, he might support Parameshwara as his replacement in order to retain influence over the government.
Party sources told The New Indian Express that Siddaramaiah, after talks with the Congress high command in Delhi, may have already shared sensitive details with Parameshwara. Adding fuel to the rumours, Parameshwara also recently met Industries Minister MB Patil, raising eyebrows over what strategies might be brewing.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka claimed there would be a new chief minister by October. In response, MB Patil brushed aside the talk, saying, “Let Ashoka safeguard his post. There are no developments in the Congress, since the High Command and CWC take a call. The statements of individual leaders are insignificant.”
Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa, on the other hand, dismissed the Dalit CM discussion as an old topic, reminding reporters that similar names were floated when AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge was in contention. “Now the chances of Kharge returning to state politics are remote,” Muniyappa added. A senior Congress figure observed that only time will tell whether a leadership change is actually inevitable, and if a Dalit name will be officially proposed.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar loyalist and Ramanagara MLA Iqbal Hussain predicted on Sunday that DK Shivakumar would become CM within three months, while Social Welfare Minister Dr HC Mahadevappa maintained that Siddaramaiah would continue to hold the top post.
Parameshwara’s meeting with Shivakumar was also believed to have included discussions on nominating four MLCs, pending approval from the Congress high command. Sources indicated that Parameshwara is backing the candidacy of his supporter, former MLC MC Venugopal, a backward caste leader, for one of these council seats.
