We’ll call Siddaramaiah, D K Shivakumar when necessary, says AICC chief

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar held talks with Congress president Mallikajrun Kharge on Monday amid speculation that the party high command may schedule a meeting to discuss the leadership tussle in the state.

There is buzz that the high command may call Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to New Delhi after Sankranthi to ‘settle’ their leadership dispute. 

While it was a closed-door meeting, it is widely believed that Shivakumar pressed for resolution of his tug of war with Siddaramaiah.  “As and when there’s a necessity, we’ll call them,” Kharge said when asked if the top brass would call Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for talks. Shivakumar met Kharge at his Sadashivanagar residence. 

Sources close to Shivakumar said he may visit the national capital on January 16 for a meeting to discuss the upcoming election in Assam, where he has been appointed as an observer. 

On January 22, Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be called for a meeting to discuss the Congress’ agitation against the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act. 

Meanwhile, top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to arrive in Mysuru for a brief layover on Tuesday. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may receive him. It is possible that they may broach the topic with Rahul.