Amid reports that the Congress High Command asked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step down, to replace him with Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, a new consensus formula is being discussed, according to reports.
Speculations are that Siddaramaiah has asked for four deputy chief minister posts for his close confidants, a move that has reportedly not gone down well with D K Shivakumar. Local media reports attribute the deputy chief minister’s sombre demeanour to his unhappiness at the formula. Shivakumar was seen getting upset at media persons who approached him.
That said, a couple of names are being discussed for the post of Deputy Chief Ministers, including Siddaramaiah's son, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah.
Here are the probable names doing the rounds:
Yathindra: While Yathindra is almost certain to be included in the cabinet, he may also get the deputy chief minister's post. He is currently an MLC. Appointing Yathindra as DCM could also help keep Congress party's Backwards Classes vote bank intact .
M B Patil: A powerful Lingayat leader in North Karnataka and a close confidant of Siddaramaiah, Patil’s ascent to the post of deputy chief minister may help Congress secure the votes from the Lingayat community in the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections.
Eshwar Khandre: A powerful leader from North Karnataka and a representative of the Lingayat community, Khandre also features in the probable list.
Dr. G. Parameshwar/Priyank Kharge: There has been a growing demand in the state for a Scheduled Caste to be made CM. For the same reason, senior leader Dr. G. Parameshwar and Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank Kharge could emerge as likely winners.
Zameer Ahmed/UT Khader: The Muslim community in the state mostly supports the Congress party. Therefore, in order to secure the Muslim vote bank, it is being said that there is a plan to make Zameer Ahmed or UT Khader, who is recognised as a prominent leader of that community, a deputy cheif minister.
The name of H C Mahadevappa, a senior leader of the old Mysore area and close confidant of the Chief Minister, is also doing the rounds.