Leader of Oppn or CLP chief: Siddaramaiah may have to pick one

Bengaluru: In what is seen as an attempt to cut former CM Siddaramaiah to size, the Congress top brass is reportedly  planning to deviate from the tradition of nominating a Congress legislature party (CLP) leader who automatically becomes leader of the opposition in the assembly.

The party is keen on clipping Siddaramaiah's wings after a group of Congress MLAs, considered his loyalists, rebelled and brought down the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.

The former CM may be given the option of either functioning as CLP leader or leader of opposition in the assembly, said sources. It is no secret that Siddaramaiah nurses the dream of becoming CM again by cashing in on advantages the opposition leader's post brings. He was opposition leader from 2009 to 2013 and took out a padayatra to Ballari which brought him fame ensuring that he became CM when the Congress came to power in 2013. Sources said this time too, he  would like to become opposition leader and wait for the opportune time. If the BJP fails to come to power after the next election, he could make a renewed attempt to become CM, said sources. But the Congress leadership, on realising that he could have played a role in fostering anti-party activity which brought  down the coalition government, wants to punish him, sources said. If this happens, it will be a major setback for Siddaramaiah and his group.