Karnataka: Tussle for CM seat intensifies in Congress

BENGALURU: Although party surveys suggest Congress has a challenge ahead to secure a majority in next year’s assembly polls, the tussle between KPCC president DK Shivakumar and opposition leader Siddaramaiah over who should be the chief ministerial candidate is already peaking.
A matter of private discussion among partymen until now, the issue blew into the open when Shivakumar, who has restrained himself from making his ambition public, openly expressed his desire to become CM.He did so thrice in the past week. “After SM Krishna, there is a chance for Vokkaligas to have one from the community as CM. It is left to you [Vokkaligas] how you use this opportunity,” Shivakumar said at a community function.
Sources say Shivakumar’s comments are a well-thoughtout move to send a message to functionaries, especially the Siddaramaiah camp, that he will fight for the post. The comments also come in the wake of the grand bash planned for Siddaramaiah’s 75th birthday, which many see as an attempt to project the opposition leader as the CM face of the party. “It has worried Shivakumar and his advisors believe that by him keeping quiet, he will be left behind in the race,” said a functionary.
The functionary also pointed out how Mallikarjun Kharge’s ‘silence’ in the run up to the 2013 elections saw him being dumped out of the CM race. The appeal to Vokkaligas is also a part of the strategy. Unlike Siddaramaiah, who has the support of most Kurubas, Shivakumar is yet to emerge as a face of Vokkaligas. It is a difficult proposition as long as former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and his family are active in politics, but Shivakumar has no choice but to woo the community.
“Normally, the community stands by a candidate who has a chance to become CM,” said a functionary. “It was proven in the case of BS Yediyurappa [Lingayat community in 2008] and the Siddaramaiah [Ahinda group in 2013]. Shivakumar is hoping for similar support. If he manages to get a high number of seats for Congress in the Vokkaliga dominated Old Mysuru region, it will bolster his claim to the chair.”
But another functionary said the move is also aimed at stymying Siddaramaiah. “Shivakumar is hoping that his statements will fuel the rivalry, forcing the high command to intervene and prevent the latter from projecting himself as the next CM,” he said.