Bengaluru: Congress national general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala Monday kicked off a feedback-cum-review exercise in Karnataka, aimed at evaluating the performance of the govt led by chief minister Siddaramaiah and to quell murmurs of dissent.The move also comes amid speculation of a change at the helm and a cabinet reshuffle, but Surjewala firmly denied any connection to changes at the top.“This is purely an organisational exercise,” Surjewala said. “Unlike what is being projected — which is a figment of the media’s imagination — these meetings are not to collect feedback for a change at the helm but are purely an organisational exercise.”As part of his three-day visit, Surjewala is expected to hold largely one-on-one meetings with legislators, former legislators, MPs, ex-MPs, and even defeated candidates. Sources say the review will continue over the next 45 days and will include listening to grievances, gauging ground-level sentiment on the govt’s functioning, and assessing implementation of flagship schemes such as the guarantees.Surjewala’s first one-on-one meeting Monday was with Aland legislator BR Patil, who had kicked off a political storm by alleging people had to pay bribes to get a house allotted under govt schemes. Patil is said to have submitted documents outlining corruption and administrative inefficiency under the Siddaramaiah govt.“I appraised Surjewala on issues plaguing the state,” Patil said. “I gave details on all that had to be said, including cases related to the housing department and minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan. It is up to the high command to act.”Raju Kage, Kagwad MLA, who accused the govt of “complete collapse” and even threatened to quit, skipped his meeting Surjewala. “I had informed Surjewala of my prior commitments and he asked me to meet him on Tuesday,” Kage said. “I shall discuss everything with him. I have no grouse with Siddaramaiah, [deputy CM] DK Shivakumar, or any minister. My problem is with the system and administration.” But the timing of the review has raised the political temperature, especially since cooperation minister KN Rajanna hinted at “revolutionary” developments post-Sept, fuelling renewed speculation over a change of CM or a cabinet rejig. There is also a buzz within the party about a possible change in the state Congress president’s post, which Shivakumar currently holds.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the high command will decide what to do next after Surjewala submits his report. He also indicated that the party high command would examine “out-of-turn statements” by some legislators. “Surjewala is here to speak to MLAs, and he will report back to the high command,” he said.In Mysuru, Siddaramaiah said Surjewala was in Bengaluru to do “his job”. “He is the AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka,” Siddaramaiah said. “He will seek opinions of MLAs, hear their concerns, and assess what needs to be done to strengthen party organisation.”Home minister G Parameshwara also sought to play down Surjewala’s visit, saying, “He will review political aspects, party programmes, and if there are disturbances within the party or govt, he will guide us.”Surjewala himself said the review is being conducted in the backdrop of the govt completing two years. “We will also take stock of organisational strength, including block presidents, the NSUI, and Youth Congress in each assembly segment,” he said.Over the next two days, Surjewala will meet MLAs from 10 districts in south Karnataka. He will return next week to meet legislators from north Karnataka, followed by interactions with former MLAs, MPs, MLCs, and even defeated candidates. “All these meetings will happen over one-and-half months,” Surjewala said.Late-night discussionsChief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar met late night on Monday withCongress national general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala to finalise appointments to key positions in state-run boards and corporations.The discussions centred around filling six vacant chairmen posts and appointing around 1,400 directors to various boards and corporations. “These positions have been vacant for two years now,” an official in the CMO said.
