Sidda, DKS visit to Delhi today fans speculations

Discussions over potential leadership changes within the state Congress have intensified as chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar prepare to travel to Delhi on Wednesday, and in light of health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao adding that there is no rule that the state party president must remain unchanged indefinitely.

- Coovercolly Indresh

BENGALURU:

While the official reason for the visit is the inauguration of Karnataka Bhavan-1 (Kaveri), a newly constructed building by the Public Works Department in Delhi, the presence of several key leaders, including minister Satish Jarkiholi, hints at broader political discussions beyond the event. Siddaramaiah is scheduled to stay in the national capital from April 2 to 4, where he is expected to meet AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and AICC general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"Key topics on the agenda include filling four vacant seats in the Legislative Council, a possible cabinet reshuffle, and the controversy surrounding Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna's alleged honey trap case. With multiple aspirants vying for MLC positions, many leaders have already made their way to Delhi in anticipation of critical decisions," said a leader in the know of the development.

As the Congress-led government in Karnataka approaches its two-year mark on May 20, there is increasing speculation that Siddaramaiah is planning a cabinet reshuffle.