After Congress defeat, Siddaramaiah safe for now?

Bengaluru/Mysuru: The rout of Congress in Assembly polls held in five states has put the focus back on the question of whether central leaders of the party would clip the wings of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or give him a free hand to reshuffle his ministry and enhance the sagging image of his government.

In the run-up to polls to these five states, the ruling party in Karnataka witnessed heightened dissident activity with some legislators even demanding replacement of Digvijay Singh, party general secretary in charge of Karnataka, and Mr Siddaramaiah. Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s reported reluctance for a leadership change in the state, followed by a terse message to senior leaders not to speak up against the state government resulted in ebbing of the campaign against the Kuruba strongman. However, after announcement of results of Assembly polls in five states, the state leaders are debating whether central leaders would clip Mr Siddaramaiah’s wings or not.

The CM’s camp exuded confidence saying, if any mistakes occurred in the last three years, it was due to interference by a few big leaders. "Now, we feel that Mr Siddaramaiah will get more freedom. Because, Karnataka is the only big state that the Congress has in its kitty and Mr Siddaramaiah is the lone popular leader that the party has here. If the party wants to come back to power in 2018, it needs Mr Siddaramaiah.

So, the party has to strengthen his hands, not the other way round," remarked a senior leader close to Mr Siddaramaiah said adding that the party would give him more freedom.

However sources said, the outcome of elections in five states would have serious ramifications on the state unit of Congress. Every action of the Siddaramaiah government would come under scanner. "In the past, he had taken major decisions. Now, he cannot do that. Such decisions may be vetted by central leaders," sources added.

Virtually concurring with this view, veteran leader Mallikarjun Kharge, made a candid statement here on Thursday. While reacting to results of polls in five states, he said: "In Karnataka, wherever rectification is needed, the high command will do it now."

KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwara’s assertion would certainly give a clear signal about the party asserting itself.

Siddaramaiah: Poll debacle  will not impact us
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the outcome of Assembly polls held in five states would not have any impact on politics in Karnataka, and ruled out the possibility of BJP routing Congress across the country.

He told the media here on Thursday the Congress would return to power during Assembly polls scheduled to be held inn 2018 as his government fulfilled had almost all assurances listed in the manifesto while the remaining ones would be fulfilled during the remaining two years.

He said: “I am going to Delhi on 26th of this month to discuss with central leaders and finalise candidates for forthcoming Legislative Council elections. During the meeting we will also talk about Cabinet reshuffle.” On allegations levelled by leader of Opposition in the Council, K S Eshwarappa that the state has not spent drought relief funds, Mr Siddaramaiah said, “Eshwarappa’s IQ is low. We have utilised the drought relief fund from the Centre. I have given all information in front of all MPs. When no other MP had any issues on this, why is he speaking. His statement is politically motivated,” he added.