Shivakumar’s Coronation as CM on Jan 6, Says Congress MLA
Intervening in the matter, Congress high command wanted Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to resolve the issue between themselves through mutual meetings before a decision is taken by the central leadership.
Bengaluru: The coronation of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar as Chief Minister will take place on January 6 and in case if the said date is missed then the coronation will be rescheduled to January 9, Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain stated on Saturday.
On the specific date for coronation, the Congress MLA, representing Ramanagar Assembly seat, stated the said dates hold numerological significance to D.K. Shivakumar. In reply to a question, Hussain said “It is not the show of strength of MLAs required but the decision of the high command. The decision of the high command will be obeyed (by MLAs). We all are united in the party.”
“We have requested the high command to elevate Shivakumar as Chief Minister considering his struggle to build the party, organizational skills among others,” he said and stated the majority of the MLAs and people belonging to Old Mysuru region back Shivakumar for the post of Chief Minister.
When his attention was drawn to a statement by Congress MLC Dr Yathindra, son of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, that there will be no change of guard in Karnataka, Iqbal Hussain “Let him say but there is a wish among MLAs to make Shivakumar the Chief Minister.”
It may be recalled here owing to power tussle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar over change of guard over an unwritten change of leadership agreement reached between the two leaders in May, 2023 when Congress returned power in Karnataka.
Then, Shivakumar is said to have agreed to allow Siddaramaiah to serve as CM for the first two-and-half years and later transfer power to Shivakumar. Now that Siddaramaiah completed his two-and-half years, Shivakumar reportedly claimed for transfer of power.
Intervening in the matter, Congress high command wanted Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to resolve the issue between themselves through mutual meetings before a decision is taken by the central leadership. The Central leadership communicated to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to settle the matter amicably and the message was sent to Siddaramaiah by general secretary of All India Congress Committee K.C. Venugopal.
Obeying the order of the high command, Siddaramaiah hosted breakfast for Shivakumar and in turn Shivakumar invited Siddaramaiah for breakfast. Both the leaders left the matter on change of guard to high command to decide. The central leadership is expected to take a call soon.