Karnataka: Hectic lobbying begins for deputy CM posts, plum berths & PCC leadership following Shivakumar’s elevation

Bengaluru: As the countdown for DK Shivakumar’s elevation to the CM’s post in Karnataka begins, hectic bargaining has started involving camps of the outgoing and incoming CMs and other senior leaders for coveted posts in the new power-sharing arrangement.

Topping the list is the demand for 2-3 deputy CMs, ostensibly to balance caste and regional representation.

AICC leadership will engage with Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar over the next two days on resolving this issue as AICC also exercises utmost caution to ensure Siddaramaiah is not leaving with a hurt feeling. The outgoing CM is said to be pushing for three deputy CMs in keeping with Congress’s vote bank.

Shivakumar’s elevation also means he will have to give up the post of president of the KPCC. Ministers Eshwar Khandre and Satish Jarkiholi are among the front runners for the post.

Siddaramaiah is expected to push for a large number of ministerial berths as well as plum portfolios for his loyalists. His list would likely include son Yatindra Siddaramaiah too, whom the party would be too happy to accommodate, sources said.

Shivakumar, who has been handling the Bengaluru development portfolio besides water resources, is keen to keep the Bengaluru one as he has rolled out a number of projects to build on the image of Brand Bengaluru.