A group of Congress MLAs on Monday traveled to Delhi to meet the party leadership seeking ministerial representation and press for a long-awaited cabinet reshuffle.
The delegation includes leaders like Ashok Pathan, S. N. Narayanaswamy, K. Chadakshari, R. Krishnamurthy, Putaranga Shetty and Belur Gopal Krishna, among others. Many of them are legislators holding multiple positions and believe it is time for a reshuffle that will give them a chance in the ministry, news agency ANI reported.
Their basic demand is clear and straightforward: to reshape the government to accommodate senior leaders who were waiting for a ministerial role.
The Congress government in Karnataka is dealing with internal friction, especially with sections supporting Shivakumar for the chief minister’s post in line with the ‘power-sharing agreement’ for 2023. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have repeatedly emphasized that any decision on the leadership will be taken by the party high command.
“A routine visit,” the leaders say
Although the visit has a political overtone, party leaders describe it as part of routine organizational participation. Senior MLA TB Jayachandra played down any speculation of a bigger crisis.
“It’s a routine matter for me. I am a state representative in Delhi… There are also many senior MLAs coming, and we wanted to meet the high command and convince for the reshuffle. This is the demand of many senior MLAs… This government has given an opportunity for three years; there are only two years left. That’s why we all wanted to go and meet the high command and submit a request before him…” he said.
He also denied talk of any leadership challenge, adding: “The leadership issue is not before us at all. It is between the four walls of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the AICC chief and Rahul Gandhi.”
Meetings with senior leadership lined up
The MLAs are expected to meet senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Karge, KC Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala, during their stay in the capital.
Echoing the same demand, SN Narayanaswamy said: “We will meet Venugopal, Surjewala, Mallikarjun Kharge and all Congress leaders. Our demands are a reshuffle,” making it clear that any decision on leadership rests with the top leadership only.
K. Chadakshari added that the delegation will try to meet Rahul Gandhi if the appointment is granted.
The push for a reshuffle revolves around seniority and timing. AR Krishnamurthy pointed out that many MLAs who have been elected multiple times are now anticipating their turn.
“Members who have won a third, fourth or fifth term want a cabinet reshuffle. The Prime Minister has also informed us about this,” he said, adding that the discussions will now move to the central leadership.
Ashok Pathan confirmed that the request is also linked to a previous internal guarantee.
“We will try to meet Rahul Gandhi. We will meet Mallikarjun Kharge, Surjewala and Venugopal. We have only one condition: reshuffle,” he said.
“Surjewala told us that the Cabinet will be reshuffled after two-and-a-half years. Three years have already passed. Our demand is to make us ministers for at least the remaining two years,” he added.
While local aides have insisted that a leadership change is not part of their agenda, the backdrop remains politically sensitive. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently admitted that aspirations within the party are normal.
He said: “When our prime minister said that there would be a cabinet reshuffle, it is normal for everyone to want to become a minister or prime minister. They may try to do so. There is nothing wrong with that.”
