Amid tussle for top post, Siddaramaiah’s camp lines up mega Mysuru rally | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Days after Siddaramaiah asserted that he would remain chief minister for a full five years, his camp is preparing a major show of strength at a massive rally in Mysuru on Saturday, deepening an ongoing behind-the-scenes tussle between his faction and that of deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar.Titled Sadhana Samavesha, the rally will be held at Maharaja’s College Grounds in Siddaramaiah’s home district. His supporters aim to mobilise over one lakh attendees to mark Congress govt’s completion of two years in office.The first Sadhana Samavesha was held on May 20 in Hosapete and was attended by senior party functionaries including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi. But this time, organisers have chosen to exclude Congress functionaries, sparking discontent.“If it is a Sadhana Samavesha, then it should be a party event since it is Congress that has achieved the milestone (two years in office),” said a KPCC office-bearer. “This was the reason why our senior functionaries participated in the Hosapete Sadhana Samavesha. We have not been told about the Mysuru event because they don’t want party functionaries there.”But organisers insist the Mysuru event is a govt programme, focused on developmental announcements worth Rs 2,600 crore for the district. HC Mahadevappa, minister in charge of Mysuru district, said: “We have not involved the party since it is a govt event, although it is titled Sadhana Samavesha. However, we have invited Mallikarjun Kharge in his capacity as leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha. Following protocol, we have also invited legislators from opposition parties who represent seats in the district.“Despite the official stance, efforts are underway to mobilise party workers and Siddaramaiah loyalists across Mysuru. Comparisons are being drawn with the Dec rally in Hassan, initially billed as ‘Siddaramaiah Swabhimani Janandolana Samavesha’. Following opposition from Shivakumar’s camp, Congress’ high command intervened, and the event was rebranded ‘Janakalyaan Samavesha’.“It is not true that the party is not involved in Saturday’s event,” said BJ Vijayakumar, president of Congress’ Mysuru city unit. “Party functionaries and workers are voluntarily taking part. They are all proud of the party’s achievements. No one can prevent them from taking part in the event.”Animal husbandry minister K Venkatesh, a Siddaramaiah loyalist, denied that the event is meant to flex political muscle. “Siddaramaiah does not need a show of strength,” he said. “He already showcased his strength in the party’s stupendous victory in 2023 assembly polls. Prior to the assembly elections, people witnessed his popularity at the Davanagere rally, where about 10 lakh people gathered. The issue over the chief minister’s post has been settled with Siddaramaiah himself clarifying on it. The Mysuru event has nothing to do with the issue.”