Bengaluru, Oct 13 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing leadership tensions, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to host a dinner gathering for the Congress ministers in Bengaluru this Monday. This meeting is particularly significant, given the swirling speculation regarding a potential leadership change and rampant rumors of a forthcoming cabinet reshuffle.

The dinner will take place at the Chief Minister's official residence, 'Cauvery', at 7 p.m. All cabinet members have been invited, with several ministers already confirming their attendance. Notably, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has yet to respond to this invitation.

Shivakumar's cancellation of all his engagements for the day has further fueled speculation. Sources indicate that he will attend the dinner, accompanied by AICC National General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala.

According to sources within the Congress party, CM Siddaramaiah has several key objectives for this gathering. Firstly, he aims to assert his authority and leadership amidst claims from Shivakumar’s faction about an impending change in leadership come November, rumored to be part of a “November Revolution” within the ruling party.

Secondly, he intends to communicate to cabinet ministers the necessity for “sacrifices” regarding their posts for the greater good of the party. Siddaramaiah faces the delicate task of executing a cabinet reshuffle while minimizing conflict, as his team is concerned that those losing ministerial positions might defect to the opposition.

Thirdly, he plans to address issues raised by a letter from the State Contractors’ Association to him. Sources reveal that the CM is taking this matter seriously, especially since the letter has reached the Congress high command. He is expected to instruct the relevant minister, whose departments are currently under scrutiny, to streamline operations and resolve pending issues.

Ministers aligned with Siddaramaiah assert that the dinner is merely an opportunity for the Chief Minister to reconnect with them in a casual atmosphere.

Additionally, CM Siddaramaiah is likely to brief his cabinet members and MLAs on the accomplishments of the guarantee schemes over the last two and a half years and outline crucial decisions that the Congress-led government intends to pursue moving forward. He is also expected to discuss the challenges that will arise following the caste census, particularly regarding significant changes to reservation and related policies.

In light of all these factors, Siddaramaiah is preparing prominent leaders and cabinet colleagues to tackle imminent challenges while emphasizing the importance of unity and coherence post-cabinet reshuffle.

On another note, the BJP has claimed that the dinner meeting is a strategy to instruct cabinet members to mobilize funds for the Bihar Assembly elections, accusing the Congress party of treating Karnataka as an ATM for the Bihar election.