Siddaramaiah Travels to Delhi for CWC Meeting Amid Karnataka Leadership Discussions

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is travelling to Delhi for the Congress Working Committee meeting amidst ongoing leadership discussions in the state. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's supporters are keen on a potential change in leadership.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is heading to Delhi for the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting. This gathering occurs amid discussions about leadership in Karnataka, where supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar are eager to see him as the next Chief Minister. Siddaramaiah mentioned in Davangere, "I am going for the CWC meeting today but I don’t go to Delhi frequently."

Before departing for the CWC meeting, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge assured reporters that any confusion would be resolved. When asked about the leadership issue in Karnataka, Kharge stated, "It will be sorted out. You don’t need to worry about it." He preferred to address these matters at the meeting rather than discussing them beforehand.

Leadership Speculation and Reactions

Shivakumar dismissed rumours of a leadership change after Makara Sankranti, attributing such talk solely to media speculation. "The speculation is only in the media. There is no speculation within the party or anywhere in the government," he clarified. During his visit to Delhi, Shivakumar did not plan to meet anyone, including Rahul Gandhi, who had arrived recently.

Congress MLA H A Iqbal Hussain, a supporter of Shivakumar, predicted a leadership change on January 6 or 9. However, sources from the Chief Minister’s Office indicated that leadership changes might not be discussed at the CWC meeting. They suggested that the focus would be on strategies for upcoming Assembly elections.

Party Dynamics and Future Plans

Siddaramaiah recently expressed confidence in completing his five-year term, stating that the party high command supports him. Meanwhile, Shivakumar emphasised his commitment to being a dedicated party worker over holding any official position. He highlighted his 45 years of service since 1980 as a testament to his dedication.

The CWC meeting will also see participation from Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The agenda is expected to centre around election strategies rather than internal leadership issues.

The political landscape in Karnataka remains under scrutiny as discussions continue about potential leadership changes. While some speculate about shifts in power, others focus on strategic planning for future elections.

With inputs from PTI