While most in the party feel that Siddaramaiah ticks the right boxes, Shivakumar is no less qualified. (PTI)
There are some proposals that a CM-Deputy CM formula may be worked out with Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister and DK as his deputy. But this would mean troubling many other seniors like G Parameshwara
The comparison with Rajasthan cannot be missed when Sachin Pilot was the State Congress President for almost four years and took credit for the party’s victory. However, Ashok Gehlot was a former chief minister and the party felt that he had the support of a majority of MLAs and should be made the CM with Pilot as his deputy. Pilot had the support of the Gandhi family but it was not enough to ensure that he became the chief minister.
In KarnatakaAlthough the situation is similar, it is different. Let’s not forget that the term ‘Operation Kamala’ was coined here. Most of the MLAs are with Siddaramaiah who remains arguably the most charismatic and popular Congress leader. And as chief minister, he’ll make sure he keeps the herd together.
Also, with Siddaramaiah coming from the backward Kuruba community and with a Dalit as party president, the narrative of the Congress as a party that cares for Dalits is something that will work in its favor for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Can do.
While most in the party feel that Siddaramaiah ticks the right boxes, Shivakumar is no less qualified. One, he has the full support of the party. Two, in times of crisis, such as in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, it was he who booked resorts for the party. DK’s supporters believe that he is the best option. As in Pilot’s case, many of DK’s supporters feel that if he is not made the chief minister, it will send a message that the Congress does not believe in new blood and generation change. However, the reality in Karnataka is that DK is yet to earn the tag of being a largely Delhi-made leader who can wait for his time to come.
There are some proposals that a CM-Deputy CM formula may be worked out with Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister and DK as his deputy. But this would mean troubling many other seniors like G Parameshwara. One thing is clear – after the Rajasthan debacle, the rotation system of the CM-ship is something the party does not want to see.
Along with the Lok Sabha elections, the Karnataka elections are also round the corner. In the last Lok Sabha elections, BJP got 15 MPs from this area. The Congress hopes it can work for them in 2024, where the BJP wave remains in the north.
A Congress leader told News18, ‘We don’t need to see just the local picture. At the national level, we feel that Siddaramaiah can ensure a good showing for the party in 2024. So why not him?
But the answer is from a DK supporter: “How many Lok Sabha seats can Ashok Gehlot as chief minister get for the party from Rajasthan? Zero. So this argument doesn’t make any sense. Despite pressure from the BJP, DK stood firm with the party.
So, what is Dark Horse’s potential? When News18 had asked Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge about this, he had said: “There is no black horse. I want the party to win but anyone can become the CM.
This “someone” is the one who is likely to tear the hair of the top leadership of the party.
