Rajanna defies high command diktat, renews pitch for Cong chief post

Bengaluru: Defying a Congress high command ban on speaking in public about party positions, cooperation minister KN Rajanna, an aide of chief minister Siddaramaiah, again expressed his willingness to take over as state Congress president, a post currently held by deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar.
After a three-day visit to Delhi, where he met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rajanna said he was prepared to resign as minister if entrusted with the leadership of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.
"We are not demanding a leadership change," he said, while questioning why Shivakumar was yet to be replaced as KPCC president despite the party's earlier stance. "After the assembly elections in 2023, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal clearly said Siddaramaiah would be CM and Shivakumar his deputy. The press statement issued by party brass said Shivakumar would continue as KPCC president till [parliamentary elections] 2024. Now, we are asking why the high command has not replaced him?" Rajanna said.
His remarks could intensify factional tensions within Congress again, with sources suggesting that this could escalate into an open power struggle between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. While both have maintained a united front so far, Rajanna's open declaration is expected to provoke strong reactions from Shivakumar's camp.
Reviving the demand for a Dalit CM, Rajanna asserted that there was nothing wrong in seeking social justice in leadership roles. "Dalits, other communities, and minorities can demand the post of CM. It's up to the high command to decide, and we will abide by it," he said.
Recently public works minister Satish Jarkiholi, another aide of Siddaramaiah, had reminded the high command of its earlier stand on Shivakumar's exit as state chief, while home minister G Parameshwara had planned a meeting of all Dalit ministers and legislators to push for a leadership role for Dalits either as CM or state party chief. He is expected to visit New Delhi next week.
Sources suggest Siddaramaiah's supporters are adopting a strategic approach by sending ministers to Delhi in a phased manner to mount pressure on the high command. The group is also said to be unhappy with the gag orders issued by party brass, restricting like-minded ministers and MLAs from holding internal meetings.