Siddaramaiah pushes for coordination panel role in bid to checkmate DK Shivakumar
Siddaramaiah has proposed a coordination committee to link the Congress and the Karnataka government after stepping down as Chief Minister.
Siddaramaiah, who stepped down as Karnataka Chief Minister to pave the way for DK Shivakumar’s elevation, has proposed the formation of a coordination committee to the Congress high command to act as a bridge between the party and the government.
The Congress veteran, who had served as the coordination committee chairman during the Congress-JDS coalition government in 2018, sought a revival of the same model, which would allow him to continue as an alternative power centre in the state.
However, sources said the Congress high command has not agreed to the proposal, as there is little scope for a coordination committee in a current government where the party enjoys a clear majority on its own.
Siddaramaiah, the 77-year-old Congress stalwart, resigned on Thursday, bringing to an end a months-long power tussle with Shivakumar, whose loyalists had been demanding that the party honour its alleged 2.5-year power-sharing promise in the state.
The Congress has reportedly offered him a Rajya Sabha seat and a larger role in national politics, but he is understood to have declined the proposals, insisting on continuing in state politics.
On Friday, Siddaramaiah met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital, accompanied by his son Yathindra, during which he is believed to have pushed for the formation of a coordination committee.
According to party sources, Siddaramaiah is also seeking Cabinet berths for Yathindra and his loyalists in the new Karnataka government, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders, including general secretary Randeep Surjewala, who also met the outgoing Chief Minister in Delhi, are hopeful of ensuring a smooth transition of power in the southern state.
The party is set to officially elect its next Chief Minister at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Karnataka on Saturday, which will be attended by national leaders. The newly elected CLP leader is expected to stake claim to form the government soon after.
According to sources, the Congress will also begin discussions on restructuring the party organisation in Karnataka as part of the leadership transition.
Siddaramaiah, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, has remained a dominant figure in the state's politics for more than four decades. He joined the Congress in 2006 after parting ways with the JD(S).
Siddaramaiah, who stepped down as Karnataka Chief Minister to pave the way for DK Shivakumar’s elevation, has proposed the formation of a coordination committee to the Congress high command to act as a bridge between the party and the government.
The Congress veteran, who had served as the coordination committee chairman during the Congress-JDS coalition government in 2018, sought a revival of the same model, which would allow him to continue as an alternative power centre in the state.
However, sources said the Congress high command has not agreed to the proposal, as there is little scope for a coordination committee in a current government where the party enjoys a clear majority on its own.
Siddaramaiah, the 77-year-old Congress stalwart, resigned on Thursday, bringing to an end a months-long power tussle with Shivakumar, whose loyalists had been demanding that the party honour its alleged 2.5-year power-sharing promise in the state.
The Congress has reportedly offered him a Rajya Sabha seat and a larger role in national politics, but he is understood to have declined the proposals, insisting on continuing in state politics.
On Friday, Siddaramaiah met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital, accompanied by his son Yathindra, during which he is believed to have pushed for the formation of a coordination committee.
According to party sources, Siddaramaiah is also seeking Cabinet berths for Yathindra and his loyalists in the new Karnataka government, including the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders, including general secretary Randeep Surjewala, who also met the outgoing Chief Minister in Delhi, are hopeful of ensuring a smooth transition of power in the southern state.
The party is set to officially elect its next Chief Minister at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Karnataka on Saturday, which will be attended by national leaders. The newly elected CLP leader is expected to stake claim to form the government soon after.
According to sources, the Congress will also begin discussions on restructuring the party organisation in Karnataka as part of the leadership transition.
Siddaramaiah, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Karnataka, has remained a dominant figure in the state's politics for more than four decades. He joined the Congress in 2006 after parting ways with the JD(S).
