In damage control mode over stampede, Congress top brass summons Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar

New Delhi: Close on the heels of the stampede that claimed 11 lives, the Congress high command has summoned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar for a discussion in the national capital on the issue on Tuesday morning. 

Party general secretary incharge of the state Randeep Surjewala is said to have dialled the CM and the DCM, asking them to be present in Delhi for a meeting convened by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and Surjewala will attend the meeting. 

On the backfoot after the BJP’s tirade over the incident, the Congress top brass will discuss damage control measures at the meeting, it is said. A minor reshuffle of the Cabinet may also be discussed, sources said. 

Though the CM has taken action against police officers, the government has been facing criticism for not acting against the political leadership.

The four names recommended to the governor for nominations to the legislative Council, but withheld after directions from the party top brass, will also come up for discussions.

It is said that Shivakumar had objected to the persons recommended. 

However, the CM reportedly told the party top brass that these names were approvedby AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s office, sources said. 

Out of the four names shortlisted, dalit activist D G Sagar, Congress’ communications chief Ramesh Babu and Karnataka NRI forum deputy chairperson Arathi Krishna are said to have been recommended by Kharge himself.

Journalist Dinesh Amin Mattu is said to be the CM’s choice. A few names suggested by Shivakumar were not considered, sources said. 

They said that the high command may ask Siddaramaiah to put on hold the  nominations to the Council for the time being, at least till the row over the stampede subsides.