D. Shivakumar, along with his MLAs, is in Delhi and meets Kharge.
The Sunday Mail
New Delhi. A show of strength has begun in the Karnataka Congress over the Chief Minister’s post. Shivakumar’s supporters have begun exerting pressure over the two-and-a-half-year formula. A tussle continues between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar over the CM post. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, along with some MLAs, met with party national president Mallikarjun Kharge. During the meeting, Kharge inquired about the MLAs in detail. Sources say the MLAs demanded that Siddaramaiah be removed from the Chief Minister’s post and Shivakumar be made the Chief Minister.
Sources indicate that Kharge has made it clear to the MLAs that Rahul Gandhi will be the final decision on leadership and cabinet changes. Kharge has also warned the MLAs not to come to Delhi with this demand again, as it will only fuel speculation. The MLAs also attempted to meet Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, but were unable to secure an appointment.
All the MLAs who arrived in Delhi are said to be from the DK Shivakumar faction. They want Shivakumar as Chief Minister. Officially, it’s being called a business meeting, but experts believe this is a new strategy to exert pressure. The Congress government in Karnataka has completed two and a half years. When the Congress government was formed in Karnataka, a formula of two and a half years for the Chief Minister’s tenure was discussed. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has now made it clear that he will remain Chief Minister.
