Bengaluru, Mar 30 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s upcoming visit to New Delhi on April 2 gains significance amid the political storm surrounding an alleged honeytrap attempt on Cooperation Minister KN Rajanna and a purported ‘supari’ plot against his son, MLC Rajendra.
With growing pressure on the government to act decisively, Siddaramaiah is expected to discuss the developments with senior Congress leaders in the national capital.
The controversy erupted after Rajanna claimed that nearly 48 politicians across party lines had been targeted in similar honeytrap schemes. The minister has formally requested Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara to initiate an investigation, adding another layer of political tension ahead of the Karnataka Chief Minister’s four-day visit.
Besides addressing this crisis, Siddaramaiah is set to push for significant political changes within the Karnataka Congress unit. Party insiders suggest that he will advocate for replacing Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, with Satish Jarkiholi emerging as a potential successor.
Reports indicate that the Congress leadership is keen on appointing a leader from a Scheduled Tribe background to strengthen its outreach among these communities ahead of the local body elections.
Shivakumar, however, has reacted strongly to these developments, asserting that he remains committed to the party and its leadership. "I have always followed the decisions of the high command. My focus is on ensuring the Congress wins the maximum number of seats in the upcoming elections," he said. Political analysts suggest that the move to replace him could intensify factional rivalries within the state Congress unit.
Jarkiholi, the state’s Public Works Minister, has already engaged with the Congress high command and will accompany Siddaramaiah on the trip.
During the visit, the duo will inaugurate Karnataka Bhavan-3 in New Delhi and participate in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meetings scheduled for April 3 and 4. Another key item on the agenda is finalising names for the four vacant MLC positions, a move seen as crucial for consolidating Siddaramaiah’s influence within the party.
Former Lok Sabha MP VS Ugrappa and veteran Congress leader BL Shankar are among the front-runners for these nominations.
Siddaramaiah is also expected to meet AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, along with key SC/ST leaders, to seek their backing for his proposals. Meanwhile, discussions on a potential cabinet reshuffle are anticipated, as the Congress leadership mulls over changes post the government’s two-year anniversary in May.
A final decision on the reshuffle could be taken in June, pending the nod from top party figures, including Rahul Gandhi. The Chief Minister is scheduled to return to Bengaluru on April 5.
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