AICC General Secretary in-charge for Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, met with party legislators on Monday amidst indications of "disgruntlement" and rumors of change in leadership in the ruling party. As part of his three-day trip, Surjewala will reportedly have one-to-one meetings with legislators, according to party sources. On Monday, he was to meet legislators from the Chikkaballapura and Kolar areas.
He is expected to hear their grievances and collect feedback on the government’s functioning, sources said. The meeting has gained significance as some MLAs have recently expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance. They also come at a time when speculation over a leadership change has resurfaced following Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna’s remarks hinting at "revolutionary" political developments after September.
There is also speculation within party ranks of a potential cabinet reshuffle and switch of state Congress president, a position presently occupied by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Mallikarjun Kharge, who is AICC President, told the media that Surjewala has come to collect feedback and depending on his report, we will determine the next course of action. Amid growing speculations around change of chief minister in Karnataka, Kharge on Monday said the decision remains in the hands of the "party high command".
"See, that is in the hands of the high command. Nobody can say here what is going on in the high command. This is left to the high command and the high command has got power to take further action. But unnecessarily one should not create problem," he added.
Also read: Shivakumar may get CM post in 2-3 months, claims Karnataka MLA
Additionally, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has said: "He is the AICC General Secretary in-charge. He will take the views of MLAs, listen to their grievances, and determine what is needed to be done to strengthen the organisation. He will do his job." Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara declared Surjewala visits Karnataka frequently to monitor party issues, rather than government matters.
"He will also look into political matters, party programmes, and if there are issues of disturbances within the party or government, he will advise us as the charge-handling General Secretary," he said.
Surjewala will perhaps also meet with MLAs who raised some concerns in recent weeks, he added.
Aland MLA BR Patil had accused bribes in allotment of public housing by the Housing Department, while Kagwad MLA Raju Kage had threatened to resign for delay in developmental works and release of funds and accused the administration of "entirely collapsing." Their statements have humiliated the Congress regime, which is being targeted by opposition BJP and JD(S) over "rampant corruption" and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Siddaramaiah met Patil and Kage last week upon his return from New Delhi and is said to have assured them that their grievances would be looked into. He is also said to have urged them "not to criticise the government publicly." Pressure is growing for a cabinet reshuffle as the Congress government marks two years in power.
Follow us
