NEW DELHI: Congress MLA HA Iqbal Hussain renewed pressure on the Congress high command to quickly resolve the uncertainty over the possible change of leadership in Karnataka, even as he dismissed the power tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar.Speaking amid ongoing speculation about a mid-term switch of chief minister’s post to DK Shivakumar, Hussain said: “We need change, and we ask that others be given a chance. We are only asking for change from an electoral perspective.”
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He insisted that there was no group or special interest, saying: “Other than that, there are no divisions or special interests. The high command must quickly resolve the ambiguity regarding the change of leadership.”
This is the demand of all officials and ministers, including me. “Draw the curtain without giving way to confusion.”Referring to a possible meeting between CM Shivakumar and the Congress high command, he also added: “There is information that DC MD K Shivakumar has been asked to come to Delhi again to meet the party high command on February 26.”
Siddaramaiah’s camp emphasizes governance and warns against destabilizing the Ahinda alliance, while Shivakumar emphasizes unity but hints at a solution soon.
Recent meetings, including that of PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi with AICC chief Mallikarjun Karge, indicate the high command’s intention to take a decision “soon”, with Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi on February 26 being pivotal. Party insiders note that Shivakumar pushed for a legislative party meeting to be held by late February, in line with that timeline.
Catch-22 dilemma for senior leadership
The central leadership faces a dilemma: supporting Shivakumar risks alienating Lingayat and minority voters associated with Siddaramaiah, while retaining him risks discouraging the Vokkaleja base and the organizational machinery under Shivakumar’s leadership. Karg promised to take a collective decision including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, and the two leaders are likely to be called for talks after February 26. Hussain’s intervention, which closed the Delhi meeting’s “curtain call”, highlights how the February 26 meeting could finally break the stalemate in Karnataka’s protracted power struggle.
