When the days-long power-tussle between Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar in Karnataka ended after the latter agreed to settle for the deputy chief minister's post, there were speculations that the Congress high command had proposed a power-sharing formula between the two leaders. Even though the party leadership has dismissed any such proposal, reports claimed that Shivakumar, the KPCC president, could be elevated to the top post if the party under him succeeds in showing an impressive performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, senior minister M.B. Patil's statement on Monday has created some flutter in the party circles. Patil, while denying any proposed arrangement for power sharing, said Siddaramaiah will remain as the chief minister for a full five year term.
"If such things were there, our AICC General Secretary (K.C. Venugopal) would have told you, when he did the press conference. He said there is no such thing,” he told reporters in Mysuru.
Shivakumar, seemingly upset over Patil's remarks, said on Tuesday that the party high command will take care of it. "Let people say whatever they want. The AICC General Secretary is there, the Chief Minister is there and the AICC President (Mallikarjun Kharge) is there..." he said.
However, his brother Suresh openly expressed displeasure over Patil's statement.
"Siddaramaiah is the chief minister, if you want more information and reply to M B Patil's statement, you can meet our AICC General Secretary Surjewala (Randeep Singh Surjewala) and gather information. I can also sharply say things, but let me not. I can respond to M B Patil's statement, tell M B Patil -- let that not happen," he told reporters.
Congress stormed to power in the state in the May 10 elections after winning 135 seats. The BJP was reduced to 66 seats while the JD(S) could bag just 19 seats.
The election victory, however, led to a political crisis in the Congress with both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar lobbying hard for the coveted post. The days-long impasse ended after Shivakumar settled for the deputy chief minister's chair following prolonged parleys involving the party central leadership and the intervention of Sonia Gandhi.
