Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, May 12: After the Lok Sabha election concluded in the state, the Congress leaders, who were apprehensive that earning the ire of Siddaramaiah might rock the Congress boat that was already suffering from dissidence, seem to have been encouraged by the fact that this risk has passed by. It is learnt, Koratagere MLA G Parameshwar and party working president D K Shivakumar have staked their claim for the post of the opposition leader in the assembly now. The timing of the move has been set at a time when Siddaramaiah is on a visit of foreign countries.

It may be recalled, that Siddaramaiah had played different cards, staying away from campaigning, hob-nobbing with the BJP leaders etc., to coerce the Congress high command into bending to his wishes and assuring him that he would be made the opposition leader, once Mallikarjun Kharge who holds the post, is elected as a member of parliament from Gulbarga constituency.

Sources say that both the above leaders have been lobbying hard for the post. They have asked the party high command to hold election for the post in a democratic way, instead of following the tradition of nominating one of the leaders. Their calculation that Siddaramaiah would not get enough votes to get elected appears to be well-conceived.  Parameshwar is staking claim on the basis of his seniority in the party and sincerity, besides the fact that he hails from a dalit community.  Shivakumar has mostly rested his arguments over his leadership credentials and being a Vokkaliga.

It will not be easy for the high command to take a decision, as it does not want to risk dissent at the state level. At the same time, it does not want to antagonize Siddaramaiah, who has repeatedly told them that he expects to be given an honourable place in the party. For Siddaramaiah, it would be difficult to go against the party leaders at this juncture even if he is deprived of the post, as the election is over, he is abhorred by the JD (S) leadership and the BJP is not keen to get him into their fold, as he would not serve any immediate purpose there.