Should Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar Meet Before Heading to Delhi?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Congress High Command has instructed a meeting between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
- The meeting is aimed at resolving leadership tensions in Karnataka.
- Siddaramaiah has reiterated his commitment to the high command's decisions.
- Veerappa Moily has criticized the ongoing rivalry within the party.
- Unity is essential for effective political strategy in upcoming discussions.
Bengaluru, Nov 28 (NationPress) In a significant turn of events, the Congress high command has directed Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to convene a meeting between themselves before proceeding to meet the central leadership in Delhi.
In a statement to the press in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed this directive, noting that he has extended an invitation to Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar for a breakfast meeting to deliberate on the issue.
“The high command has instructed us to first meet among ourselves. After that, we are to head to Delhi. Hence, I have invited him for breakfast,” Siddaramaiah remarked.
He reiterated that his position regarding any leadership changes in the state remains consistent. “I have previously declared that I will respect the high command's decision. I stand by that commitment today and will continue to do so in the future,” he stated.
“He (Shivakumar) has echoed a similar sentiment. We will discuss this matter and subsequently travel to Delhi,” the Chief Minister added.
Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge announced that both leaders were summoned to Delhi to address the state's leadership dilemma.
Siddaramaiah had previously expressed his intention to serve as Chief Minister for the upcoming five years. However, he has now affirmed his willingness to adhere to the high command's decision.
Veteran Congress figure and former Union Minister Veerappa Moily, during a conversation with IANS, criticized the Karnataka Congress for the ongoing rivalry over the Chief Minister's position, which has led to national embarrassment. He also reproached the Congress high command for not intervening sooner and allowing the situation to deteriorate.
The senior Congress leader expressed strong disapproval of the competitive behavior displayed by the factions under CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar, lamenting the chaotic state in which the party currently finds itself.