Kharge’s invite to Siddu for National politics stuns CM’s camp

Bengaluru: Even as speculations are doing the rounds regarding change of Congress leadership in the State, the invitation reportedly extended by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to join National politics in a few months, has stunned the Chief Minister’s camp.

Sources said that Kharge, who is currently in Bengaluru on a two-day  visit to the State, has subtly sent Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi’s message to CM Siddaramaiah telling him that it is the right time for him to enter National politics, after having enjoyed power at all levels in the State for over four decades.

 Kharge is said to have conveyed this message to Siddaramaiah when he called on him at New Delhi last week.

During the meeting between the two leaders, Kharge is said to have told Siddaramaiah to address the issues raised by Congress Legislators without wasting time, before leaving power.

This message of the Congress High Command to CM Siddaramaiah also reached Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also the KPCC President. Also, Shivakumar’s visit to the Bengaluru residence of Kharge late on Sunday night after being summoned by the AICC President, has lent credibility to reports of a leadership change in the State in a few months.

Kharge’s message to CM Siddaramaiah has come as a big shock to CM’s staunch supporters such as Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, Satish Jarkiholi and K.J. George, who had accompanied the CM during his Delhi visit.

The Siddaramaiah camp had visited Delhi to seek change of the KPCC President and continuation of Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister for full term of 5 years. But Kharge, being a senior politician that he is, sent this bitter message to the CM’s camp followers, which stunned them.

It is significant to note that after this development at Delhi, Co-operation Minister K.N. Rajanna, who is a staunch follower of Siddaramaiah, issued a statement saying that a big change is going to happen in the Congress, while likening the change to ‘September Revolution’.

PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi too said that there will be big changes in the Government in a few months, which has created ripples in political circles. Amidst all these developments, CM Siddaramaiah, upon his return from New Delhi, announced Rs. 50 crore grant to all Constituencies represented by Congress MLAs.

Meanwhile, AICC in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala arrived in Bengaluru yesterday, to hear the grievances of Congress Legislators, who have been airing their voices in public over shortage of funds and lack of developmental works in their Constituencies.

Congress High Command will take care of change of leadership issue: Kharge

Amidst the rumblings among Congress Legislators over non-grant of funds for their Constituencies,                                        AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the change of leadership issue lies with the Party High Command.

Speaking to presspersons in Bengaluru yesterday, Kharge reiterated it is the Congress High Command which ultimately takes the  decision on change of leadership in Karnataka.

Kharge pointed out that AICC in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala is already in Bengaluru to elicit the opinion of party legislators on all issues.

Kharge said that the Congress High Command will take note of the opinions collectively and also take the next decision, he said poignantly.

 “I will not react to statements made by a couple of Ministers and party Legislators on the possible political developments in the State,” Kharge added.