As AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala went on with his series of one-on-one meetings with state ministers for the third day running on Wednesday, opposition parties BJP and JD(S) came down heavily on the Congress, sarcastically terming him the "Super CM" of Karnataka.
Alleging that Congress high command leadership was sidelining Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, JD(S) and BJP leaders stated that Surjewala had actually assumed the control of the government in the state.
Leader of Opposition in the Assembly and veteran BJP leader R Ashoka questioned the functioning of the high command of the Congress, alleging it had lost trust in Siddaramaiah and was actually imposing a "Randeep rule" in Karnataka.
"Is Randeep rule being enforced in the state? Will Thursday's cabinet meeting also be presided over by Surjewala?" Ashoka tweeted on X. Lamenting the situation, he further added, "The Congress high command, which has lost all faith in lottery CM Siddaramaiah, has enforced a 'Randeep rule' in Karnataka."
Ashoka went a step further to say, "It need not be unexpected if Surjewala listening to the grouses and grievances of upset MLAs in the KPCC office and five-star hotels and cross-checking the ministers' performance comes to the cabinet meeting to be held at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday and conducts it personally."
He further claimed that Siddaramaiah has lost grip over administration, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar doesn't have the support of party MLAs, and Rahul Gandhi doesn't hold any authority in deciding a leader for the top position. "In all, the Congress party in Karnataka is in 'limbo' without having a single leader to efficiently perform the role of Chief Minister," Ashoka claimed.
Surjewala's regular one-to-one meetings with ministers are said to be aimed at scrutinizing their performance, clearing grievances complained about by MLAs, and hearing internal complaints. This follows two previous rounds of interaction between Surjewala and Congress legislators within the state.
In the meantime, JD(S) State Youth President Nikhil Kumaraswamy made a sly remark at Congress by posting a sarcastic message on X, which read, "Congratulations to Surjewala on his silent promotion as the Super CM of Karnataka."
Sarcastically imitating the situation, he further stated, "Seems like the elected CM has given Surjewala a GPA to govern," and accused the Congress of going overboard with democratic rules.
"Democratic MLAs are now made to bow down before a 'Surjewala Sarkar' for funds for constituency development," Nikhil said, suggesting simmering disenchantment among legislators.
He also fueled rumor of a leadership transition in the Congress by saying, "Siddaramaiah is out-going, D K Shivakumar is in-coming, but Surjewala is already reigning."
Terming it a "complete mockery of federalism and democracy," Nikhil held the Congress responsible for making Karnataka a puppet state with the central leadership calling shots.
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