Bengaluru: A fresh political crisis is brewing in Karnataka. While Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy told his supporters that he was in deep pain running the government, Congress legislative party leader Siddarmaiah has asked the party high command to scrap the alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular). Kumaraswamy told his supporters that he was fed up and was in deep pain every day while trying to run the government.
Soon after, his arch rival Siddaramaiah told the Congress high command that the party should immediately scrap the alliance with the JD(S).
Siddaramaiah and senior MLA HK Patil, who are camping in Delhi since Tuesday, reportedly tried to convince the party high command to scrap the alliance with the JD(S).
They showed proof that the alliance is doing the Congress more harm than good. Siddaramaiah met AICC president Rahul Gandhi, AICC general secretary Karnataka in-charge KC Venugopal and senior party leader AK Antony, while Patil met Venugopal separately.
According to a source here, Siddaramaiah told Rahul that the party would have won more seats had it gone solo in the elections. “The sooner we take a call on ties with the JD(S), the better for the Congress'' future in Karnataka,” Siddaramaiah reportedly told the high command.
The former CM also warned of the consequences of the tie-up and explained to Rahul how the JD(S) has been gaining grounds at the expense of the Congress.
“Despite concerted efforts by the leadership of both parties, there is a lack of cohesion on the ground between the parties,” Siddaramaiah reportedly told Rahul.
Patil was more categorical in his views. He is said to have told the party high command to severe ties at the earliest. Patil was summoned by the high command following his outburst against the state government over the JSW Steel land deal and the handling of IMA Group scam.
In another move, Siddaramaiah has suggested that all Congress ministers in the HDK cabinet would resign by December. Some see this as a ploy to curb rebellion in the party.
According to a plan mooted by Siddaramaiah, the Congress high command is likely to seek the resignation of all its ministers and inject fresh faces in the cabinet.
This will mean some ministerial aspirants who are openly voicing dissent would remain silent till December and get a berth, hopefully by December if the coalition lasts.
Sugar minister RB Thimmapur, in Belagavi on Tuesday, virtually confirmed the move, saying: “We are ready to resign in December if the high command asks us to do so.”
Earlier, in a move to rebuild the Congress in Karnataka following its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha polls and to counter the simmering dissent, the party high command Wednesday dissolved the state unit, retaining only president Dinesh Gundurao and working chief Eshwar Khandre.
AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, also in-charge of Karnataka, said all heads and members of election and campaign committees would be changed. The KPCC had around 200 officebearers, including vice-presidents, general secretaries, secretaries and members of various committees with specific responsibilities.
