Congress legislators hold dinner meeting amid CM post churn | Bengaluru News

Belagavi: Over 30 ‘like-minded’ Congress legislators, mostly supporters of chief minister Siddaramaiah, met for dinner Wednesday night at a hotel, raising further speculation over an ongoing tussle in the party for the top post. Siddaramaiah was absent due to an illness. While minister Satish Jarkiholi, who hosted the meal, called it a routine gathering, MLA KN Rajanna said political matters were discussed. “Why would we meet otherwise? Would we meet just for food? When people meet, discussions are bound to happen. It serves multiple purposes,” Rajanna said. Those present included Siddaramaiah’s son and MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah. The dinner followed a similar gathering last week hosted by DK Shivakumar. The deputy CM has also met Jarkiholi separately twice. Rajanna added that if a cabinet rejig happens, two berths should go to members from the Valmiki (ST) community. Asked about his own prospects, he said he was unconcerned. On the state Congress president post which Shivakumar currently holds, Rajanna said it’s up to the high command while citing an AICC directive confirming Shivakumar would continue until the 2024 parliamentary elections. BJP state president BY Vijayendra described Siddaramaiah as an “outgoing CM” and said this would be his last assembly session in the top post. He also criticised the govt for inaction on development projects, including irrigation schemes in Belagavi, and questioned what Siddaramaiah could achieve in two weeks. Rajanna dismissed the claim saying: “Then let us call Vijayendra the outgoing BJP president. Siddaramaiah is not outgoing. He is very much in and will continue.” Urban development minister Byrathi Suresha said, “Is Vijayendra trying to predict the future? Let him first resolve issues within his own party.” Meanwhile, seers from various mutts met in Tumakuru to back home minister G Parameshwara for the chief minister’s post amid the ongoing tussle between CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar. Representing Lingayat, Vokkaliga, backward, and Dalit communities, the seers said Parameshwara’s elevation would benefit the backward community and promote district development. “Seers, irrespective of caste, want Parameshwara as CM… it will help irrigation, Metro, drinking water and overall development,” said Hanumanthanatha Swami of Kunchitigara Maha Samsthana Matha.