Bengaluru: Meetings between deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and his brother and former MP DK Suresh with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary KC Venugopal Wednesday, followed by interactions with Congress MPs Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi on Thursday, have revived speculation over a possible change of chief minister in Karnataka. Sources say a switch may happen after the presentation of the state budget, casting a shadow over the govt’s milestone of completing 1,000 days in office. The party plans to highlight its governance record at a massive public rally in Haveri district on Saturday. Chief minister Siddaramaiah is set to distribute more than one lakh land title deeds to beneficiaries at the event, which is expected to be attended by senior party functionaries, ministers and workers. Sources say the Haveri programme is part of a broader outreach effort to highlight the govt’s welfare initiatives and governance record over the past three years. The event is also expected to showcase flagship schemes and infrastructure projects launched by the govt. The Delhi meetings have renewed discussions on an alleged agreement that Siddaramaiah would make way for Shivakumar at the halfway mark of the govt’s tenure — a pact that was reportedly reached in the presence of Congress’ high command in May 2023. Sources say the DK brothers raised the issue with central brass and sought clarity on a timeline. It is said they received an assurance that the matter would be considered after the state budget in the first week of March. Siddaramaiah’s supporters insist the meetings with Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka were limited to discussions on the Assam assembly elections, but Shivakumar’s camp is thrilled that he secured time with top Congress brass. However, Rahul is said to be inclined towards Siddaramaiah continuing as CM, though the party has not issued any formal statement on the matter. Congress brass has maintained a studied silence on any transition at the helm, reiterating that decisions on the chief ministerial post are taken by the party high command. Political commentators say it’s understandable since the decision is a difficult one. “Congress brass is in a piquant situation,” said Vishwas Shetty, a political commentator. “It does not want to annoy Siddaramaiah who has been instrumental in ensuring a Congress govt twice in 15 years. Neither does it want to sideline Shivakumar, who has been the party’s footsoldier and troubleshooter.”
