Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Apr 13: In an interesting development, Karnataka chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah, has put off his proposed visit to New Delhi for convincing the party high command about his ministry reorganization proposal. Instead, he would be touring drought-hit districts of the state to inspect relief measures undertaken there.
Reportedly, the changed decision was the outcome of directions issued by the top leaders of the party who met at Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Monday.
As per indications, the CM had evinced keen interest to finalize the reshuffle and reorganization of his ministry before the election exercise in respect of five states which will go to polls shortly begin. It is said that towards achieving his goal, he had initiated faction politics, and made efforts to project as if there was immense pressure to undertake ministry reorganization exercise immediately, by causing formation of a group of legislators for bringing pressure on the concerned for this purpose.
The office of the CM had stated that Siddaramaiah would be going to New Delhi on Thursday or Friday. But the leadership of the Congress, who held discussions with the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, clarified that the top leadership would not be available for meetings on April 15. Some claim that party national vice president, Rahul Gandhi, instructed Siddaramaiah to concentrate on management of drought situation in the state and take immediate measures to address the problems of drought-hit people. Sources said that because of these reasons, the CM dropped his proposed visit of New Delhi, and instead, opted to tour drought-affected districts.
With this, the efforts made by a group of legislators purportedly with the blessings of the CM, to pressurize the party high command to permit reorganization of the state ministry at the earliest, by giving Siddaramaiah a free hand to go ahead with this exercise, appears to have suffered reverses. In all likelihood, the CM might visit the national capital for the above purpose after April 20.
Sources close to Congress top leadership say that chances of the national leadership of the party, who are now busy with preparations for the coming assembly elections in five states, might not like to divert their attention towards ministry organization in Karnataka for the present.