This is not just routine party meeting ah,because whoever gets picked now will decide how party moves from here.
Congress Legislature Party in Karnataka is meeting today to elect new leader . Meeting is scheduled for 4 PM at Conference Hall of Vidhana Soudha . Siddaramaiah,who is current Leader of Congress Legislature Party,will preside over proceedings.
But honestly,when outgoing Chief Minister himself is chairing meeting to choose next face,that itself says how delicate whole transition is . Party will have to show unity outside,even if inside calculations are running at full speed .
D.K . Shivakumar,Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President,and Randeep Singh Surjewala,AICC General Secretary in charge of Karnataka,are expected to be there . All Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs),Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs),and Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members are also expected to participate.
Few things standing out in this whole situation:
- Siddaramaiah's resignation has opened door for new leadership within party.
- Reports suggest D.K . Shivakumar is frontrunner for Chief Minister position .
- Siddaramaiah's recent Delhi discussions with Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge show this was not sudden move .
And this Delhi angle is where things become more interesting . Siddaramaiah recently met senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge,and he was advised to step down . So it feels like party high command has already done much of background work before today's meeting only.
H.K. Patil,Karnataka Minister,has already indicated that D.K. Shivakumar is set to take over as Chief Minister within days . He even said,“Shivakumar is already the Chief Minister-designate,” Patil stated. That is not small statement,especially before formal meeting.
At same time,Congress will want to avoid any visible split during this change . Siddaramaiah's exit,D.K. Shivakumar's rise,and upcoming elections together make this moment quite sensitive for party .
And tbh,even if name looks almost decided,real question is how smoothly everyone accepts it inside Karnataka Congress… because power change always looks neat from outside,until small cracks start showing…
