Are many senior leaders going to be removed in the new cabinet of DK Shivakumar? Will Siddaramaiah now play a bigger role at the national level in Congress? Will bringing forward young leaders trigger a new rebellion in Congress? Are both Congress and Trinamool weakening due to internal strife?
Karnataka Cabinet Reshuffle: There is currently such an earthquake in the politics of Karnataka, which has shaken the foundation of the strongest Congress stronghold of South India. After Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation was accepted by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, the political equations in the state are collapsing like a house of cards. The game of check-mate that has been going on behind the scenes for months is now over, and it is certain that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar, who is considered a ‘troubleshooter’, will be crowned. But with this coronation, such a suspense has deepened within the Congress, which has given sleepless nights to many veterans.
Farewell to the old lions or a coup? There will be huge turmoil in the new cabinet
At present only one question is echoing in the corridors of Bengaluru – who will be in Shivakumar’s new cabinet and whose card will be cut? To implement Rahul Gandhi’s formula of ‘generational shift’, Shivkumar is planning to prepare a very aggressive and young team. The biggest victims of this new strategy could be those elderly faces of the party who have been at the center of power for decades.
Which ministers are in danger?
Veterans’ chair in danger: Home Minister G., who has crossed the age of 70. The political future of prominent leaders like Parameshwara, Energy Minister KJ George and Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa is at stake.
Mathematics of vacant posts: After the death of D Sudhakar and resignations of KN Rajanna and B Nagendra, there are already three vacancies in the cabinet. Shivkumar wants to create a ‘political strike force’ of young MLAs below 50 years of age by removing these vacant posts and senior ministers. But will these senior leaders leave their positions without revolting? This suspense continues.
Satish Jarkiholi’s ‘secret condition’: Trouble on the post of state president
After assuming the post of Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar will have to leave the post of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President. The name of Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi is in the forefront for this very powerful post. But the game is not that simple. Jarkiholi has put such a ‘secret condition’ before the high command which has put the high command in a dilemma. He wants to take command of the organization but is not ready to leave his ministerial post. Will Congress, which believes in the principle of ‘one person, one post’, bow down to Jarkiholi’s insistence? If not, this internal tussle within the organization may overshadow the celebrations of Shivakumar’s coronation.
Where is Siddaramaiah’s next destination? Takht of Delhi or the path of oblivion
The most mysterious part of this entire political drama is the future of Siddaramaiah himself. By directly rejecting the offer of Rajya Sabha seat, he has made it clear that he is not going to step away from active politics of Karnataka so easily. There are speculations that he can be called to Delhi and made the next National President or ‘Chief National Strategist’ of Congress. Karnataka Congress is currently standing at a crossroads where even the slightest mistake can shatter its dreams of 2029. The script on whether this change will ‘immortalise’ Shivakumar’s leadership or give rise to a fresh civil war within the party is likely to be written in the next few days.