By Rahil Nora Chopra
The Congress high command seems to have finally woken up to the dire need for resolving the tricky leadership crisis lingering on in Karnataka, with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday saying that both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar would be summoned to Delhi for talks to settle the issue. Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar, who are both eager to meet the high command and stake claim to the CM’s post, have kept their fingers crossed on the outcome. CM Siddaramaiah asserted that the legislators are free to see the party leadership and share their opinion, and also that the party high command should ultimately take the decision to put a full stop to this confusion. According to Shivakumar’s supporters, the agreement stipulated that Siddaramaiah would step aside at the halfway mark of the five-year term to enable Shivakumar to take over as CM. However, Siddaramaiah’s camp firmly denies any such pact, asserting instead that he enjoys the support of the majority of Congress MLAs. Meanwhile, Congress feels replacing Siddaramaiah could turn the Ahinda vote bank against the party. In that sense, it is not a binary between two faces, making the decision far more delicate. It is also not a secret that Rahul Gandhi has immense respect for Siddaramaiah. While Ahinda vote base is solidly behind Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar does not command full support of the Vokkaligas, who are divided between the Congress and the JD(S). Siddaramaiah is the only CM hailing from the OBC community and is seen as key to ensuring the smooth completion of the caste census in Karnataka. The party also feels that replacing him with a Vokkaliga (Shivakumar) may derail Rahul Gandhi’s social justice plank at a time when Kerala and Tamil Nadu are set to go to polls next year. However, Siddaramaiah is pushing for a reshuffle of his Cabinet, and Shivakumar wants the party to first decide on a leadership. According to several party insiders, if the Congress high command approves the cabinet reshuffle, it would signal that CM Siddaramaiah will complete the full five-year term, which will scuttle the chances of Shivakumar from occupying the coveted post.
UDDHAV, RAJ MAY TEAM UP FOR BMC POLLS NEXT YEAR, WITH PAWAR’S NOD
The political scenario in Maharashtra is seeing a shift with Congress wanting to go solo, while Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is planning to tie up with the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). And both sides want Sharad Pawar to throw his weight behind them for next year’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. In Mumbai, Pawar really doesn’t have an option. He has to ally with one or the other because the NCP (SP), has a limited base in the metropolis. Pawar believes that all people with similar thoughts and mindset should come forward to defeat the BJP, and if the MNS is on board, there is no harm in bringing Raj’s party into the fold. Although no formal announcement has been made, it is expected that if the Raj Thackeray–led MNS joins Uddhav’s Sena, they would become part of the broader MVA—a move that many Congress leaders have openly expressed reservations about. Sources also said that NCP(SP) is in parallel discussions with Shiv Sena (UBT) regarding alliances for the BMC and other local body elections. Once the BMC election dates are announced, NCP(SP) is expected to take a final call based on the prevailing political situation.
RABRI DEVI REFUSES TO VACATE PATNA RESIDENCE, DESPITE GOVT ORDER
After a letter being issued by the Bihar government allotting RJD leader Rabri Devi a different house, RJD has said the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council would not make any move out of her current address — 10, Circular Road, Patna, and claimed the decision seemed politically fabricated and motivated. Rabri Devi has been allotted 39, Hardinge Road, according to a notification issued by the state’s building construction department. 10 Circular Road, where she has been living since 2005, and the residence location is more prominent due to its proximity to the Bihar CM’s residence and the Raj Bhavan. The property has always been since 2005 a hub for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) activities, hosting key meetings and discussions. Rabri Devi has been living here with her husband, RJD president and former CM Lalu Prasad, after stepping down as chief minister. However, Rabri Devi’s daughter Rohini Acharya, who lives in Singapore now, accused the Nitish Kumar government for “targeting her family to insult Lalu Prasad”. RJD’s state president Mangni Lal Mandal said: “Jo karna hai, Sarkar kar le. Rabri Devi ghar nahi khali karengi, (Do whatever the government feels like doing, but Rabri Devi won’t vacate the house).” The move comes close on the heels of Nitish Kumar assuming chief-ministership for the fifth consecutive term.
CONGRESS FINDS CM NITISH’S RS.10000 CASH TRANSFER KEY TO NDA WIN
In the first extensive review of the party’s poor performance in the Bihar elections, Congress state leaders briefed the party central leadership that the Rs 10,000 cash transfer by the Nitish Kumar to women beneficiaries, delay in seat-sharing by I.N.D.I.A. bloc, shifting of candidates and discrepancies in list, internal rift, Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and electoral malpractices were among the causes for the party’s debacle. The review meeting at the Congress headquarters of Indira Bhawan had party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal interacted with the candidates who successfully and unsuccessfully contested the elections. Besides the candidates, the leadership also met with Bihar Congress chief Rajesh Ram, Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, Congress MPs Akhilesh Prasad Singh and Tariq Anwar, and Independent MP from Purnia Pappu Yadav.
KUSHWAHA’S DECISION TO PLACE NEWBIE SON IN NITISH CABINET DRAWS IRE
Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief and Bihar NDA ally Upendra Kushwaha’s decision making an entry of his inexperienced son Deepak Prakash into the new Nitish Kumar cabinet has triggered a wave of resignations. As a mark of protest against Kushwaha’s decision to appoint his son as a Cabinet Minister, as many as seven of his party leaders, including state party president Mahendra Kushwaha, vice-president Jitendra Nath, resigned, accusing Kushwaha of resorting to “Pariwarwaad (dynastic politics), instead of following socialist principles”. The RLM won four of the six seats it contested as part of the NDA in the Bihar Assembly polls. The party got one ministerial berth in its quota after the NDA swept the polls, winning 202 of the state’s 243 seats. In the past, Kushwaha has targeted the RJD and its founder, Lalu Prasad, over dynasty politics. (IPA Service)
