Karnataka: With buzz over cabinet reshuffle, all eyes on Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar

Karnataka cabinet reshuffle buzz intensifies

Political observers keenly watch as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar visit New Delhi in the midst of buzz over cabinet reshuffle.

The two powerful Congress leaders from Karnataka are in the national capital to take part in the launch of book authored by former Union Minister Kapil Sibal. According to sources in the ruling Congress, the chief minister met Rahul Gandhi and had a discussion with him.

A fortnight ago the chief minister had said during a media interaction that he has sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi to discuss about cabinet reshuffle during his Delhi visit. ”If I get an opportunity to discuss then I will stay in Delhi or I will return on November 15 night,” he had told reporters. Siddaramaiah had also said that he would discuss about cabinet reshuffle with the party high command after the Bihar Assembly elections. Shivakumar’s presence in New Delhi has renewed the buzz over leadership change despite Siddaramaiah clarifying that he would complete his five years term. According to Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, there will be no ‘November Revolution’.

Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar said, "I don’t know about the CM's meeting with Rahul Gandhi. I don’t know about a cabinet reshuffle discussion... I don’t know whether I’ll meet (Rahul Gandhi) on Sunday or not. If you want to ask anything about a reshuffling of leadership change issues, speak to CM. We have to follow what the party says... The CM has every right to meet Mallikarjun Kharge, the Home Minister or the PM. What’s wrong with that?..."

The coinage ‘November Revolution’ was given by Minister K N Rajanna who had hinted that there will be major change in the government. It was anticipated that he was referring to the change of guard in the state. As the buzz started over cabinet reshuffle, many Congress legislators have started lobbying to secure a ministerial position. Congress sources said legislators N A Harris, Rizwan Arshad, B K Hariprasad, Belur Gopalakrishna, H C Balakrishna, Belur Gopalakrishna, Saleem Ahmed, R V Deshpande, Prasad Abbayya Nagendra, M Krishnappa, Laxman Savadi, A S Ponnanna, Shivalinge Gowda and Roopakala Shashidhar and Malur Nanjegowda are among the top contenders for the ministerial position. Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA Prasad Abbayya said he is a strong contender for the post. ”Though I am a contender, I will go by the decision of the party high command,” Abbayya told reporters in Hubballi. According to party sources some of the aspirants are currently in Delhi to build pressure on the party high command.