Rahul Gandhi defers decision on Karnataka leadership change: Reports
Bengaluru: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has reportedly put the decision on a possible leadership change in Karnataka on hold after receiving feedback on the potential political repercussions of such a move, according to highly placed party sources.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Friday, Rahul Gandhi received detailed inputs from multiple quarters, including election strategist Sunil Kanugol, suggesting that this may not be an opportune time to alter the leadership structure in the state. Based on these assessments, the high command is believed to have decided to defer any immediate decision.
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While Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is yet to get an audience with Rahul, Siddaramaiah sympathisers MLC BK Hariprasad and Minister KJ George met the LoP recently and reportedly voiced their opinion against any change in chief minister.
RDPR and IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge also met Rahul, but it is not known what transpired between them.
According to party insiders, Rahul Gandhi has been advised that a leadership change at this stage could have adverse consequences for the Congress government in Karnataka. Recently, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge had said that the confusion over leadership exists only in the party’s state unit and not with the high command.
Also, AICC general secretaries KC Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala are busy in their states of Kerala and Haryana, respectively. While Venugopal is eyeing the CM post if the Congress wins in Kerala, Surjewala aspires to become the Haryana PCC chief.
As a result, sources said, the final call on power-sharing and leadership in Karnataka rests solely with Rahul Gandhi. However, he is expected to travel to Europe after attending the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi on December 27 and return only after January 10. Until then, no decision is expected on either a cabinet reshuffle or a change in chief minister.
In all probability, Siddaramaiah is likely to break the record set by D Devaraj Urs as the longest-serving CM. Siddaramaiah will break the record on January 6, completing 7 years and 238 days in office. Also, Siddaramaiah is expected to present a record 17th budget.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to leave for Delhi on Friday evening (December 26) to attend the CWC meeting and is likely to meet senior party leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. He is also expected to hold discussions with Union ministers regarding Karnataka-related projects but is unlikely to raise the issue of leadership change or cabinet reshuffle during this visit.
According to sources, Siddaramaiah may seek approval for a cabinet reshuffle only after Rahul Gandhi returns from his overseas visit.
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CM announces Rs 5 lakh compensation to kin of Chikkaballapura accident victims
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of four youths who have been killed in a road accident in Chikkaballapura.
In a post on X, the chief minister said he was deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred late on Thursday night on Ajjavara Road, on the outskirts of Chikkaballapura city.
He said it was unfortunate that families who were celebrating Christmas were suddenly plunged into mourning due to the accident.
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"The death of these young men, who were the main support of their families, has caused immense hardship. To assist the bereaved families in this difficult time, we are providing compensation of Rs 5 lakh each," Siddaramaiah said.
The chief minister also prayed for peace for the departed souls and strength for the families to bear the grief caused by the untimely deaths.
According to police, the accident happened when a bike carrying four people collided with a tipper. The victims, said to be labourers, were travelling from Chikkaballapura to Ajjavara.
