Is Horse Trading of MLAs Within Congress Underway, K'taka BJP Claims?

Bengaluru, July 16 (NationPress) In the midst of a leadership crisis within the Congress government in Karnataka, the BJP's state unit claimed on Wednesday that the horse trading of MLAs within the historic party has commenced.

Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra stated, "Citizens are already observing the frustration among Congress MLAs in the state. They are adrift and unsure of who to back. There is confusion surrounding support for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah or Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar."

"The horse trading is advancing rapidly within the Congress, and this is clearly apparent," he added.

"Why has Congress National General Secretary and Karnataka In-Charge Randeep Singh Surjewala been making frequent trips to Karnataka to meet with his party's MLAs? What does that imply? It indicates that Congress MLAs have lost faith in CM Siddaramaiah. Consequently, Surjewala is visiting Bengaluru to persuade them and is also issuing warnings to the Chief Minister," Vijayendra remarked.

Criticizing Surjewala's visits to Bengaluru, the Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka questioned, "Has 'Randeep rule' been imposed in the state?"

"Will Thursday's Cabinet meeting also be presided over by Surjewala? With the Congress High Command having entirely lost trust in lottery CM Siddaramaiah, it has enforced a 'Randeep rule' in Karnataka," he stated.

At the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office and upscale hotels, Randeep Singh Surjewala is addressing complaints and concerns from dissatisfied MLAs while evaluating the performance of Ministers. Therefore, if he appears at the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday and ends up presiding over the Cabinet meeting, it should not come as a shock," Ashoka added.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lacks control over the administration, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is struggling to gain support from MLAs, and Rahul Gandhi lacks the authority to appoint his preferred CM," the BJP leader noted.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy, JD-S leader and son of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy criticized the Congress-led state government, saying: "Kudos to Randeep Singh Surjewala, who has assumed the role of Super CM of Karnataka."

"The elected Chief Minister has given him a GPA to manage the government in Karnataka. Congress MLAs, who were elected through democratic processes, are now turning to Surjewala for the advancement of their Assembly constituencies," he added.

"CM Siddaramaiah is on his way out, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar is eyeing the chair, yet Surjewala is already managing the administration," he remarked.

"The Congress has transformed Karnataka into a puppet state, ridiculing both the federal structure and democracy," he concluded.