Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 28: Sources within Congress party said that D K Shivakumar, energy minister, who also happens to be an influential representative of strong Vokkaliga community from the state, is likely to be elevated as the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee soon. He is set to take over from current incumbent, Dr G Parameshwar, who is expected to relinquish the post subsequent to his having been made a minister.

Shivakumar is set to become full time president of the state unit of the Congress at a time when assembly election is only two years away.

Along with Shivakumar, names of some prominent Lingayat leaders were also coined to the post in the recent past. Caste calculations within Congress party had to be worked out afresh after Yeddyurappa became president of state BJP unit. Congress leaders believe that Lingayats have of late been supporting non-Congress parties, and therefore, giving the post of the state president to a Lingayat will not serve any major purpose.

The Congress leadership is aware that a number of Vokkaliga legislators from JDS, which even now has clout in Vokkaliga-majority regions in Old Mysore area, are up in arms against the leadership style of that party. Some of these legislators reportedly are turning towards the Congress. Shivakumar, comparatively young and energetic leader of the party, therefore, has emerged as an automatic choice. Shivakumar, who is younger, aggressive, enthusiastic and is willing to face challenges, is also perceived to be having the power to financially stabilize the party.