Smooth transition of power likely this year?

Minister asks Surjewala to decide ASAP ● Says many AHINDA MLAs want him to take up top position

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Mysuru

IN a major political development, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, frontrunner for the KPCC president's post, held a lengthy discussion with AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala late on Tuesday evening and convinced the latter of the need to appoint a full-fledged chief for the state unit.

"There was an official resolution with AICC General Secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal's note that after the 2024 LS polls, the KPCC president's post should be changed. Now, six months have passed and there is confusion within the party whether DCM DK Shivakumar will continue in the post or not. This has become the talking point. I suggested to Surjewala to put an end to this confusion," Satish told reporters on Wednesday.

"I also told Surjewala that a new president should be appointed as soon as possible. I also said that if the current president is to be continued that should be made clear too," he added. He suggested that the opinion of all the 140 MLAs of the party should be considered while appointing a new KPCC president. There was talk about some 50 MLAs supporting Satish as an AHINDA leader, next only to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and expecting him to become the state party president.

Satish has often said he wants to lead the party in the 2028 assembly polls and claims to have discussed with the party higher-ups the party's organisation and the mistakes to be rectified if any. Soon after meeting Surjewala, he met Siddaramaiah and apprised him of the developments.