Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 19: Although chief minister of the state, Siddaramaiah, has been given a free hand to go ahead with his ministry reshuffle and reorganization, the issues of appointment of new president to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and nominating members to legislative council have been kept in the back burner for the present, it is learnt.

However, it is almost forgone conclusion that energy minister, D K Shivakumar, will be made KPCC president. He will be officially given charge after current incumbent, Dr G Parameshwar, who will be leaving for Germany late night on Saturday returns to the city after June 25. Once he comes back, the process of changing the guard will be set into rolling and Shivakumar will take over from him, sources say.

It is gathered that Shivakumar wanted to retain both the ministry and KPCC presidentship, but the party leadership was not agreeable for this proposal. Therefore, a formula has been agreed upon, as per which Shivakumar will continue to hold ministerial portfolio for first six months of his KPCC presidentship, after which he will have to leave the cabinet and make way for a new face.

The vacancy that will be created by the exit of Shivakumar will be given to C P Yogeshwar, as per a decision taken by the state leadership but the high command is yet to give its stamp of approval for this formula, it is said. At the same time, nomination of legislative council members will have to wait for a few days as the party wants some time to settle down after the ministry reorganization.