Congress Leaders Urge Rahul Gandhi to Address Leadership Speculation in Karnataka
Bengaluru: A group of Congress leaders has formally requested Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to intervene amidst growing speculation about a potential change in Karnataka’s chief ministerial position. In a letter addressed to Gandhi, the signatories—comprising current and former lawmakers and ex-ministers—urge him to caution party leaders and state ministers who are positioning themselves for the chief minister’s role.
The letter comes as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s legal challenge against the Governor’s sanction for his prosecution in the MUDA site allotment case is under judicial review. Amid this uncertainty, several Congress leaders have publicly expressed their aspirations for the chief minister’s position, sparking internal competition and concern.
“More than six leaders, including senior ministers, are making statements about their claims to the chief minister’s post rather than focusing on combating the BJP and JD(S.),” the letter states. This internal discord, the signatories argue, is demoralizing Congress leaders and workers, and eroding public confidence in both the party and the state government.
The letter further criticizes the “infighting and reckless statements” by some leaders, which it claims are diminishing the party’s credibility and public trust. The signatories appeal to Gandhi to issue a directive to prevent further damaging statements and to maintain party unity.
Among the signatories are prominent Congress figures such as B. L. Shankar, V. S. Ugrappa, H. M. Revanna, V. R. Sudarshan, and L. Hanumanthaiah. In a parallel development, State Congress Working President Manjunath Bhandary and MLC Dinesh Gooligowda have reached out to AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, urging him to address the speculation surrounding the chief minister’s tenure.
Currently, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D. K. Shivakumar is considered a leading candidate for the chief minister’s position, should a leadership change occur. However, the names of senior Congress leaders such as Parameshwara and PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi have also been mentioned, especially following their recent discussions with party leadership in New Delhi.
Additionally, a verbal clash has arisen between senior ministers M. B. Patil and Shivanand Patil regarding the criteria for selecting the chief minister, with both advocating for seniority as a key factor. Senior Congress MLAs R. V. Deshpande, Chairperson of the Administrative Reforms Commission, and Basavaraj Rayrareddy, Siddaramaiah’s financial adviser, have also expressed their ambitions for the role.
As the political landscape in Karnataka remains fluid, the Congress party faces the challenge of maintaining unity and focus amid competing interests and public scrutiny.
