Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jan 9: Ex-deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah and his supporters were huddled in a resort in the outskirts of the city on Thursday evening, to consider the political options open for the leader and choosing the right one from among them. The meeting gains importance in the backdrop of the heightened impatience being expressed by top state Congress leaders against the inertia shown by Siddaramaiah in strengthening the party and not participating in any meaningful deliberations for its revival.

Some rumours that were floated during the last couple of weeks had said that Siddaramaiah would be joining the BJP while some others swore that he was about to  rejuvenate the BSP in the state. Some also indicated that he would launch a new regional party. Congress leaders had accused him of not being available for any discussions and staying away from electioneering for the party candidates without reason.  Therefore the secret meeting held on Thursday kicked up lot of interest.

MLAs Dr H C Mahadevappa, Satish Jarkiholi, Kadur Krishnamurthy, Venkatesh, leaders B R Patil, Kodandaramaiah and others participated in the meeting.  The meeting was originally scheduled in the house of Mahadevappa here in the afternoon. However, as the media and the people came to know of it, Siddaramaiah, who wanted to maintain secrecy, did not turn up for the meeting. Therefore, the venue of the meeting was shifted to a resort thereafter.

Reportedly, several advisors felt that leaving the Congress party at this juncture would do more harm than good for his political future. The meeting, after holding discussions, is learnt have arrived at the consensus that remaining in the Congress party was the best option available to the leader of the backward classes, as building of a new party at this juncture or joining of the BJP can turn out to be suicidal for his political aspirations.

The followers strongly felt that Siddaramaiah has to continue to be in the Congress and make efforts to grow in stature there by using his leadership skills and popularity base. As the Loksabha election is nearing, the Congress high command is likely to yield to his demand and give him a post that befits his standing. Therefore, they felt it would be better for him not to hastily decide to quit the party, it is gathered.

The Congress too seems to be not in a mood to lose a leader of Siddaramaiah calibre and capacity at this crucial point, as the current leadership in the state has failed to lift up the fortunes of the party as witnessed in the recent by-poll. Sources say that the Congress national president Sonia Gandhi spoke to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president R V Deshpande on this issue on Wednesday and laid bare the line of thinking of the central leaders.