The Karnataka power tussle has finally reached Delhi with both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his challenger DK Shivakumar leaving for the national capital for a meeting with the Congress high command.
State Home Minister G Parameshwara also accompanied Siddaramaiah as they left for Delhi in a special flight.
Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are both likely to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday to discuss the leadership issue.
Ahead of his departure to Delhi, Siddaramaiah told reporters that he was invited by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal but did not know the agenda.
“I have been invited to Delhi. There is a meeting tomorrow at 11 am; I do not know the agenda. Mr Venugopal called me to inform me about the date and time of the meeting,” Siddaramaiah said.
When asked about the speculation over leadership changes in Karnataka, the Chief Minister said, “Speculations are always there.”
Earlier today, Shivakumar stated that he too is going to Delhi as one has to go in certain situations. “I have to go, don’t I? Yes, I’m going (to Delhi). In certain situations, one has to go, so I am travelling to Delhi,” he said.
According to reports, clarity regarding the Chief Ministerial position is expected within the next two to three days.
Besides the leadership tussle, several other key issues, including Rajya Sabha elections, Cabinet reshuffle, and MLC polls, are also likely to be finalised during the discussions.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala has dismissed the speculation, linking the Karnataka CM and his deputy’s Delhi visit to organisational consultations over Rajya Sabha elections.
“Rajya Sabha elections have been notified. The party continues to have consultations. So please do not speculate. I quash all other speculations,” Surjewala said.
Speculation around leadership change in the Karnataka Congress has been brewing since the government completed its 2.5 years of tenure last year.
Over the past 18 months, Shivakumar’s supporters have repeatedly asserted that he would soon take over as Chief Minister, though the transition has not occurred.