BENGALURU: The tussle within Congress over creating three more deputy chief minister posts and appointing a new president to the
Karnataka unit has intensified post-Lok Sabha elections as detractors of DK Shivakumar appear to be sharpening knives.
A delegation of ministers, including KN Rajanna and Satish Jarkiholi, is expected to take up the issue with the party high command in New Delhi early next month.
Currently, Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga, is the lone deputy in chief minister Siddaramaiah’s council of ministers. However, some ministers have been pitching for deputy CM posts for representatives from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and minority communities.
An MLA, who did not want to be named, said: “The thinking is that a delegationwill meet Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge and his predecessor Rahul Gandhi and apprise them about our demand. Not that they don’t know about it, but if a delegation goes, the impact will be greater.”
Jarkiholi, who has been in Delhi to witness his daughter Priyanka take oath as MP, has reportedly already discussed the issue with the high command. Rajanna, Jarkiholi and ministerial colleagues G Parameshwara, and ZameerAhmed Khan have been at the forefront of demands for the creation of three more deputy CM posts — one each for SC, ST, and Backward Classes. They say by complying, the party would be “honouring” these communities for their support in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Right timeWith Congress winning four of seven reserved seats in the Lok Sabha elections, those advocating for deputy CMposts believe the time is ripe to aggressively press for the demand with the party high command in Delhi.
“In the assembly elections, over 70% of reserved constituencies voted for Congress,” an MLA said. “Even in Lok Sabha elections, these communities stood by the party while politically dominant communities like Lingayats and Vokkaligas voted for BJP. So, if these communities are honoured with deputy CM posts, the party will benefit.”
But sources say the demand is an effort to curb Shivakumar’s influence within the party and govt and scuttle his chances of replacing Siddaramaiah as chief minister next year, a possibility that has been doing the rounds ever since the govt was formed. Many also believe Siddaramaiah is behind the demand.
But a senior functionary said: “Kharge has already made it clear that no more deputy CM posts will be created in Karnataka. Ministers also know their demand cannot be met as it would send the wrong signal. They think if they demand more deputy CM posts, the high command will at least remove Shivakumar as KPCC president.”
Another KPCC office bearer, pointed out: “The party lost Belgaum, Bangalore Central and Tumkur Lok Sabha seats for which Jarkiholi, Zameer and Parameshwara were in charge. So, what right do they have to seek deputy CM posts? The party high command will issue a warning to them. Just wait and watch.”