Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 7: Reports say that D K Shivakumar, who had been the saviour of the Congress by donning the role of the trouble shooter on a number of occasions, is now throwing his weight around the high command for a thorough overhaul of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). It is learnt that he singlehandedly met some top central leaders and advised them on the reorganization of KPCC, selection of the leader of the opposition and such other issues.

Shivakumar, who silently went to New Delhi last week, had stayed there. Sources close to him claimed that this was his private visit. It is said that he met some people close to Sonia Gandhi including Priyanka Gandhi. Therefore, people are curious and worried about what plans he has in mind.

When the coalition government faced peril, Shivakumar had rushed to New Delhi and explained to central leaders about the developments and who were behind the development, with the help of documents. It is said that he drew the attention of the top leaders that many of the legislators who suddenly deserted the Congress without prior information were close to former chief minister, Siddaramaiah. With this, he seemed to have played his cards well to loosen Siddaramaiah's grip on the state Congress. The current visit is the extended part of his earlier one, source claim.

Names of a few leaders including Shivakumar are being coined the post of the opposition leader in the assembly. Siddaramaiah, knowing well that people were scheming against him, is said to have suggested the name of former assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar, who is perceived to be close to him, for this post. While Siddaramaiah is trying to establish people close to him in important positions, Shivakumar is trying to avoid this, it is learnt.

The central leadership of the Congress wanted the coalition government in Karnataka to survive at least until the conclusion of elections in Maharashtra, Hariyana and New Delhi assemblies. Because of one-upmanship between some leaders, the government fell earlier than expected. The central leadership of the party is angry on this issue. Shivakumar, it is said, feels that this situation will come in handy for him to take over leadership of the Congress in Karnataka at an opportune time.