Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s Meetings Spark Factional Clash with DK Shivakumar in Congress | Bengaluru News
BENGALURU: CM Siddaramaiah’s attempt to ease internal unrest in Congress by holding a series of meetings with party MLAs has instead intensified the ongoing power tussle within the governing party, particularly between him and his deputy, DK Shivakumar.The meetings, which started Tuesday, were intended to address legislators’ grievances and distribute sanction letters for special development grants of Rs 50 crore. However, it exposed clear signs of factionalism. MLAs loyal to Siddaramaiah and those backing Shivakumar clashed openly, with differences surfacing even in the CM’s presence.Although Shivakumar, also Bengaluru development minister and KPCC president, was not formally invited to the meetings, he dropped by briefly and held a discussion with the CM while he was meeting MLAs to discuss Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s proposed protest in Bengaluru on Aug 4. The protest is aimed at highlighting alleged voter fraud in Bangalore Central and Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha segments.Parallel meetNevertheless, Shivakumar has announced plans to convene a separate meeting with Congress legislators, focusing on issues specific to Bengaluru. “I’ve no issues with the CM meeting the MLAs. I will hold a separate meeting with our legislators as we have a different agenda for Bengaluru city. I have held discussions with many MLAs already,” Shivakumar said.Acting on directions from the Congress high command, Siddaramaiah has scheduled district-wise interactions with MLAs in presence of district ministers. On the first day, Siddaramaiah distributed grant letters to MLAs from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Kodagu, and Hassan districts – once again, without Shivakumar’s participation, which upset his supporters. “We were dismayed over the absence of Shivakumar,” said Kunigal MLA HD Ranganath.Shivakumar sought to downplay the perceived friction. “Calling a legislators’ meeting is well within the power of the CM. What is wrong with it? Surjewala, who had held meetings with MLAs, has given his feedback to the CM. The legislators’ meeting is regarding that. I have no problem with the meeting, not sure why it is troubling the media,” he said.
