Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar recently met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the United States during a personal three-day visit. The meeting holds considerable importance as the Congress faces internal unrest, with some leaders eyeing the Karnataka Chief Minister's post amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam.
Sharing the pictures of visit, DK Shivakumar said, "Wonderful catching up with Leader of Opposition Sh. @RahulGandhi, in Washington D.C., along with my wife Usha."
Reports had circulated about whether Rahul Gandhi would agree to meet DK Shivakumar in the U.S., given the current political climate. The speculation was put to rest with their meeting, which could signal a strategic move amidst increasing jockeying for the top position in Karnataka.
The situation in Karnataka's political landscape has been further complicated by the High Court's ongoing hearing of a petition filed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The petition challenges the Governor's approval for his prosecution in the MUDA site allotment case. With this legal uncertainty, several Congress leaders appear to be positioning themselves for a potential leadership change, should Siddaramaiah’s tenure face jeopardy.
Congress Leaders Urge Rahul Gandhi To Warn Party Workers
A group of Congress leaders has penned a letter to Rahul Gandhi, urging him to caution party members and state ministers who have been openly expressing ambitions for the chief ministership, as reported by PTI. The letter, signed by current and former lawmakers, as well as ex-ministers, calls for an end to public statements that could harm the party’s image and destabilize the current government.
The letter highlights that more than six senior leaders have been publicly staking claims for the chief minister's post, shifting focus away from the party's core political battles against the BJP and JD(S). "Due to this, many of our leaders and workers are getting demoralised and losing hope in the government and the party," the leaders wrote to Rahul Gandhi, emphasizing the need for unity and strategic discipline.