It is a crucial November for the ruling Congress in Karnataka

The month of November looks crucial for Karnataka politics as the ruling Congress will complete half of its five-year term (on November 20) and party leaders are eagerly waiting for the confusion around the much-talked-about leadership change to end. This month is also very important as Bihar will go to polls in two phases.

The camps of both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president DK Shivakumar are expected to engage in intense political negotiations in both Bengaluru and New Delhi in the next two to three weeks.

dinner meeting

To begin with, Mr. Siddarmaiah and his loyal Ministers are expected to hold a dinner meeting on November 7 at former Minister KN Rajanna’s residence in Tumakuru. After completing several official programs here, Mr. Siddaramaiah and ministers belonging to AHNDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits) are expected to meet for dinner.

Although Mr Rajanna has downplayed it, sources said Mr Siddaramaiah loyalists are expected to discuss the political game plan to be adopted during talks with the party high command.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shivakumar will visit Delhi around November 10 to invite Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to Bengaluru for the groundbreaking ceremony of 100 Congress Bhavans in different districts. He is likely to present his demands before Mr Gandhi and also meet other senior leaders.

Party sources said the Deputy Prime Minister hopes to put pressure on the party’s high command to ensure a smooth transfer of power as per the agreement reportedly agreed upon when the party comes to power in May 2023. Mr Shivakumar’s loyalists appear to be strongly opposed to the Cabinet reshuffle as planned by the Prime Minister.

Visits to Delhi

The Prime Minister is likely to visit the national capital on November 15, a day after the Bihar election results, and is expected to stay there for 2-3 days.

Without seeking the confidence of the party high command, Mr. Siddaramaiah went ahead and announced his intention to serve as Chief Minister for the entire five-year term. During his meeting with AICC leaders, including Mr Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Mr Siddaramaiah is expected to brief them on political developments in the state and seek their approval for the Cabinet reshuffle, citing the completion of his two-and-a-half-year tenure. He also makes statements regarding the Cabinet reshuffle in order to provide an opportunity for new faces to serve in the government.

The Prime Minister may also push for a leadership change at KPCC. Disabled Minister Satish Jarkiholi, a Dalit, is expected to put forward his name. Mr. Shivakumar’s tenure as State Congress chief was extended, but the high command announced that he will be replaced after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Kharge’s role

Mr. Kharge is expected to play a vital role in this entire multi-negotiation process as he is aware of the political developments in the state.

Congressional aides claimed that top officials are expected to clear up uncertainty over the leadership change in November as it affects the state government. The question is whether the Congress is ready to replace Mr. Siddaramiah, a tall OBC leader, given the party’s confidence in the OBC vote bank.