Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Top Congress leaders remained engaged in intense consultations on Friday over the formation of the new government in Karnataka, a day after Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot formally accepted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation and dissolved the state Cabinet.
Amid the transition, the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) is scheduled to meet at 4 pm today in the conference hall of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru to elect its new leader. The meeting will be chaired by Siddaramaiah, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar widely expected to be chosen as the next CLP leader.
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A day after stepping down, Siddaramaiah travelled to New Delhi along with his son Yathindra and held a series of meetings with the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader KC Venugopal.
Siddaramaiah met Rahul Gandhi at Sonia Gandhi’s 10 Janpath residence around 9 am. Sonia Gandhi was not present during the interaction. During the meeting, Siddaramaiah is learnt to have told Rahul Gandhi that he had honoured his commitment to relinquish the chief minister’s post, facilitating a smooth transfer of power in Karnataka.
Discussions also reportedly covered the formation of the new government and Siddaramaiah’s future political plans.
According to sources, the Congress high command assured Siddaramaiah that Yathindra would be accommodated in a suitable role if required. The outgoing Chief Minister is also understood to be seeking positions in the new cabinet for his loyalists and has pushed for his son’s inclusion in the government.
Sources further said Siddaramaiah has not yet submitted the names of his preferred candidates for cabinet berths. He is expected to finalise the list on Saturday and hand it over to Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala during the CLP meeting.
During discussions with the party leadership, Siddaramaiah is learnt to have argued against appointing deputy chief ministers unless adequate representation is ensured for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and the Lingayat community. He reportedly maintained that all major communities should receive representation in the government and, failing that, there would be no need for deputy chief ministers.
Siddaramaiah has already turned down a Rajya Sabha nomination offered by the party leadership. He is also understood to have conveyed that he wishes to remain active in Karnataka politics and is not interested in taking up a role at the national level despite suggestions from the high command.
Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala, who attended Siddaramaiah’s hour-long meeting with Rahul Gandhi, described it as ‘cordial’ and ‘productive’.
“It was a very pleasant meeting. They discussed multiple political issues,” Surjewala said on Friday while speaking to reporters.
Asked whether the leadership transition in Karnataka would proceed smoothly, he replied, “Absolutely. There is no hurdle in the smooth transition of power in the state”.
Later on Friday, Siddaramaiah met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the government formation process as well as his future role within the party.
Sharing photographs from the meeting on X, Kharge praised Siddaramaiah’s political journey and contribution to public life.
“Shri Siddaramaiah’s public life has consistently reflected dignity, compassion and a deep commitment to social justice. From humble beginnings to serving Karnataka twice as chief minister, he remained steadfast in his commitment to equality, harmony and the welfare of the marginalised,” Kharge said.
“Karnataka and the Congress remain grateful for his contributions to public life. Wishing him good health and the very best in his continued service to people,” he added.
The outgoing Chief Minister also met Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal at the latter’s residence. The two leaders discussed the contours of the new government and organisational matters related to Karnataka.
Siddaramaiah later had lunch with DK Shivakumar and senior Karnataka minister KJ George before returning to Bengaluru in the evening.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar also held multiple rounds of discussions with Kharge and Venugopal through the day. He later met both Kharge and Rahul Gandhi again in the evening and felicitated them at the Congress president’s residence.
Addressing reporters, Shivakumar said the CLP would formally elect its new leader on Saturday, after which the cabinet formation process and organisational restructuring would begin.
“We have asked all our MLAs to be present in Bengaluru on Saturday,” he said, adding that both Venugopal and Surjewala would attend the CLP meeting.
Sources indicated that the new Karnataka Cabinet is likely to feature several younger faces.
On the announcement of Congress candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections from Karnataka, Shivakumar said consultations had already taken place and the names would be declared along with candidates from other states.
“They (party high command) have taken opinion from us. They will inform you. This does not fall within my jurisdiction. The party high command will take the decision on Rajya Sabha seats as also on the MLC seats,” he said.
Asked about his swearing-in as Chief Minister, Shivakumar said, “I do not know when they will elect the leader of the Congress Legislature Party.”
Expressing gratitude towards Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar said the outgoing Chief Minister’s guidance would continue to strengthen the party and government.
“As the saying goes — If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together — I look forward to carrying this journey forward together for the people of Karnataka,” Shivakumar wrote on X.
In another message, he said, “God does not give boons or curses. He only gives opportunities. What truly matters is what we make of those opportunities. Siddaramaiah’s life is one of the finest reflections of this thought”.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also hailed Siddaramaiah’s political legacy, describing him as one of Karnataka’s most influential leaders over the past four decades.
“He has been a hugely dominant figure in Karnataka politics for more than four decades, which is a stupendous achievement in itself,” Ramesh said, calling him a true mass leader.
“The dignity with which he has been participating in the transition of power in the state has enhanced his stature immeasurably. He will be fondly remembered as he begins a new innings in his public life,” he added.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
