Mocking Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on some big decisions being taken by the government in his absence, Karnataka BJP claimed that the dinner meeting attended by seven cabinet ministers and 34 MLAs including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, proved Dy CM Shivakumar was not more than a leader in name.
Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka said on Friday that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, awaiting the departure of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on a foreign tour, organised a dinner with 35 MLAs at the residence of Minister Satish Jarkiholi as part of a move to exercise influence.
Addressing Shivakumar, Ashoka said, "In your absence, cabinet meetings are being held, and huge decisions, like a 15 per cent hike in bus ticket fares, are being made. What does it signify when such decisions are taken without the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister and the party's state president?
He added, "Mr. D.K. Shivakumar, the time has come to act on your bold declaration in the Assembly that you would wrest power." Shivakumar had earlier humorously mentioned on the floor of the House that his astrologer had advised him to seize power.
Ashoka added, "Does this mean within the Congress party, you (Shivakumar) are only on paper but nowhere in reality? Or is it that your aggressiveness is restricted only to a press meet?"
"If things go on like this, your dream will remain just a dream. That much is assured," Ashoka said, obliquely hinting at Shivakumar's Chief Ministerial ambition.
Sources have cited that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had organised a dinner on Thursday night over at the place of PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi to take crucial decisions towards the replacement of Shivakumar as the head of the State, besides recommending for more numbers of Deputy CM in the Karnataka government. "This is basically to undermine him since he seems to be rising above Siddaramaiah too in the game," said another source.
While the leaders of the dinner party have termed it a New Year's bash, it is said to be an indicator of internal wrangling within the Congress party.
The Chief Minister's camp has been demanding the formation of Deputy Chief Minister posts for long. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may have won a thumping majority for the Congress party in the 2023 Assembly elections, but the internal competition is gaining momentum.
Siddaramaiah was quite instrumental in rallying votes from Dalits, minorities, and backward classes, while Shivakumar delivered influential Vokkaliga votes to the party in the south of the state.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier declared that the Chief Minister would be elected based on the support of the majority of MLAs. Siddaramaiah won the position for his second term, though Shivakumar had gone public with his wish to become the Chief Minister.
The BJP has further alleged that it was Shivakumar who highlighted the Mysuru Urban Development Authority scam, against which CM Siddaramaiah is currently facing investigation, to counter the Chief Minister.
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