BENGALURU: On the eve of his visit to Delhi, CM Siddaramaiah seems to have won over party leader in Lok Sabha M. Mallikarjun Kharge vis-à-vis the change of guard in the state unit of the party.
Mr Siddaramaiah reportedly suggested to Mr Kharge that in the interest of both leaders a pliable leader like former minister S. R. Patil be appointed president of KPCC replacing Dr G. Parameshwar at the earliest. Speaking to DC, a senior leader from the CM’s camp disclosed that Mr Siddaramaiah wanted an amenable leader like Mr Patil, who, after quitting posts to accommodate Dr Parameshwar, has not raised the banner of revolt against him till date. “Mr Siddaramaiah feels that an amenable leader like Mr Patil will be of use to him or Mr Kharge in case the party does not secure adequate number of seats, and has to forge a post-poll alliance with JD(S), post 2018 Assembly polls. So, Mr Siddaramaiah seems to have convinced Mr Kharge that it will be appropriate to have an amenable leader who can ‘heed’ to both leaders in such scenario. Replacement of Dr Parameshwar with leaders like energy minister D. K. Shivakumar or Water resource minister M. B. Patil will surely lead to emergence of another power centre at that point in time. Therefore, let us stand by each other to get Mr Patil appointed to this post," the sources said quoted Mr Siddaramaiah as telling Mr Kharge.
