Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday dismissed rumours linking his scheduled dinner meeting for cabinet colleagues to a proposed cabinet reshuffle, stating firmly that the banquet had "nothing to do with the rejig." The meeting had attracted significant attention amid ongoing speculation about a potential change of guard and a cabinet reshuffle in the state as the Congress government approaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November— a period some are dubbing the "November revolution."
"I often host dinners, it was not possible for some time now, so I'm hosting," Siddaramaiah told reporters in Bagalkote when questioned about the gathering. Asked if it was a "special" dinner, he replied, "There is nothing special in the dinner, it is a normal dinner. It may be special in your [media] view and for the opposition party, that's all. Food will be normal." He reiterated: "Reshuffle has nothing to do with hosting a dinner."
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, the Chief Minister had challenged the media's focus: "Should we not meet? I can't understand. Listening to the BJP, you [media] have made our meeting over dinner an offence. Why are you asking then? We keep meeting always."
Party sources suggest that Siddaramaiah and his supporters are keen to push for a cabinet reshuffle. Any move by the Chief Minister to effect a change as the government completes two and a half years in office would be widely interpreted as a signal that he is firmly in control and intends to remain at the helm. Such action could be seen as a setback for Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is known to be waiting to lay claim to the Chief Minister’s chair and who himself had recently played down reshuffle rumours, calling them "media speculation."
Party sources added that the dinner meeting is likely to cover crucial internal matters, including preparations for the upcoming taluk, zilla panchayat, and urban local body polls. The Chief Minister may also wish to address fighting corruption allegations, particularly following a recent letter from the Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) which claimed that the quantum of commission or kickbacks had "doubled" under the current Congress administration.
Also read: Siddaramaiah plans Cabinet reshuffle as 2.5-years term nears end
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