High-stakes Delhi talks today over K’taka CM tussle

Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah is set to meet the Congress high command in New Delhi Tuesday amid growing speculation over his continuation in office after the state govt completed three years in office last week.The meeting is expected to involve Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal, Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and deputy CM D K Shivakumar.Party insiders said that after the govt formation process in neighbouring Kerala was completed, the Congress leadership shifted its focus to Karnataka to resolve the prolonged uncertainty. They added that Siddaramaiah could agree to step down if Rahul Gandhi pushes for a transition, while D. K. Shivakumar is unlikely to accept a short tenure under any power-sharing arrangement.Siddaramaiah on Monday sought to downplay the significance of the meeting. "I have been invited to Delhi. The meeting is at 11 am. I do not know the agenda yet. K C Venugopal informed me about the meeting," he added. Asked whether the visit signalled an imminent CM change, Siddaramaiah said, "Speculation has always been there."Shivakumar said he would travel to Delhi if formally called by the leadership. He later indicated he was likely to visit the capital as issues including SIR exercise were also on the agenda.PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi, however, suggested the meeting could help end uncertainty within the state unit and party.While Shivakumar supporters claim the leadership may ask Siddaramaiah to make way for him, leaders close to the CM said the discussions will be on a long-pending Cabinet reshuffle and Rajya Sabha and legislative council nominations.Kharge's Rajya Sabha tenure ends in June, and his renomination is expected to be discussed. The Congress leadership is also expected to discuss the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. With its strength in the assembly, the party is comfortably placed to win three of the four seats falling vacant.Siddaramaiah has been pushing for a Cabinet reshuffle for months, with sources indicating that 10 to 12 ministers could be dropped based on performance, caste equations and regional representation.