Siddaramaiah, HK Patil vie for post of Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Assembly

Politics

Congress sources say that HK Patil went to New Delhi on Friday to hold talks with the high command in this regard.

TNM Staff

With the winter session of the Karnataka Assembly slated to begin soon, the Congress high command is under pressure to appoint a leader of opposition in the Assembly. This has started a fresh round of lobbying with both Siddaramaiah and Gadag MLA and former Karnataka Congress Campaign Committee chief HK Patil, vying for the post. A game of one-upmanship is underway with HK Patil flying to New Delhi on Friday, in a bid to convince the high command to offer him the post. Congress sources revealed that the party is reluctant to give Siddaramaiah the post as it intends to curb his power in the state unit of the party. “But at the same time, Siddaramaiah cannot be distanced. KH Muniyappa and Veerappa Moily, both seniors in the party had been unhappy with Siddaramaiah. In turn, Siddaramaiah worked against these two leaders during the Lok Sabha elections, which is why the leaders in Delhi have not yet decided,” the source said. Sources say that HK Patil pushed for more representation of North Karnataka leaders in the Congress and said that appointing him as the leader of opposition would be the first step. “HK Patil also wants the responsibility of building the party at the grassroots level in north Karnataka. The BJP’s grassroots movement there is very strong and to counter it, HK Patil told the high command that he should be put in charge. He also wants to be projected as the Congress’ face of north Karnataka,” the source added. Party sources stated that HK Patil proposed that Siddaramaiah remain the leader of the Congress Legislature Party but he must be given the post of the leader of Opposition. “The high command is not convinced. But there are many leaders in the state unit who are not happy about giving Siddaramaiah full reign of the party,” the source added. Congress insiders say that the high command is also mulling over a new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President. “Dinesh Gundu Rao was given a chance to build support for the party during the Lok Sabha elections but factionalism intensified. Senior Congress leader Madhusudhan Mistry had come to Bengaluru on Friday to discuss the issue. A list of names has been suggested to the high command,” the source added. 

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