BJP leaders foresee a change of CM in Karnataka

BENGALURU: Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party, foresee a change in Chief Minister in Karnataka soon and taking into account the developments in Congress party, BJP leaders observe in all likelihood Deputy Chief Minister and president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) D.K. Shivakumar would replace Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister.

After Congress party returned to power in Karnataka in May 2023 Assembly polls, Siddaramaiah ascended the post of Chief Minister for the second time while he had served as CM from 2013 to 2018 when Congress party was in power. In 2023, D.K. Shivakumar was made the Deputy Chief Minister and it was widely speculated that seat sharing between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.

Speculations of change in Chief Minister in Karnataka gained momentum after a dinner meeting hosted by Minister of Public Works Satish Jarkiholi, a close confidante of Siddaramaiah, a couple of days back. Later, Minister of Home Dr G. Parameshwar arranged a dinner for MLAs close to him and postponed it after a direction from Congress high command.

Over separate dinner meetings of Congress leaders, BJP MLA and former minister Gali Janardhan Reddy observed the change of Chief Minister is certain in Karnataka in coming days and Siddaramaiah is unwilling to relinquish the post. Siddaramaiah is exerting pressure on D.K. Shivakumar through his close associates and dinner meetings are a part of the pressure tactics.

Janardhan Reddy said D.K. Shivakumar will replace Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister at all costs. Similar to the views expressed by Janardhan Reddy, BJP leader and former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai observed “D.K. Shivakumar’s patience is nearing its breaking point.”

Bommai stated “A significant aspect to be considered is Shivakumar's patience. He has shown extraordinary restraint, going against his nature (dashing). Whether this is due to his strategic approach or a directive from the high command remains to be seen.”

Continuing on Shivakumar’s stand, Bommai said “It is to be seen when his patience will finally break.” BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok and BJP MLA Arvind Bellad have also hinted at a change in Chief Minister in Karnataka.

However, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar did not see any wrong in senior ministers hosting dinner meetings. Shivakumar told reporters “Why mix politics over dinner meetings?” and he denied any developments happening to change the president of KPCC. Shivakumar doubted that someone is misleading the media persons with false information.