Siddaramaiah in AICC OBC list, BJP sees CM change

The Congress party's proposal to appoint Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as a member of its OBC Department’s Advisory Council has reignited speculation about a possible leadership change in the state, even as the veteran leader and his party colleagues deny any such transition.

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The proposal, made in a letter dated June nine by Anil Jaihind, Chairman of the All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) OBC Department, included Siddaramaiah among 24 names recommended for the panel. The list, which also includes senior Congress leaders such as B K Hariprasad, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupesh Baghel and Veerappa Moily, was sent to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge for approval and was made public only today.

Congress insiders indicated that Siddaramaiah may be tapped to head the panel. However, the Chief Minister responded cautiously to the development.

"I have no information about it. I read about it in the newspapers like you all did. I will speak to the high command," Siddaramaiah told reporters.

He further clarified that there was no connection between the advisory council proposal and any shift to national politics.