Congress leaders question D K Shivakumar over Mysuru mayoral poll outcome

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar on Thursday found himself at the receiving end of anger from senior party leaders over the Mysuru mayoral election in which the JD(S) bagged the top post.

Rukmini Madegowda of the JD(S) was elected Mysuru mayor Wednesday, while Congress’ Anwar Baig became the deputy mayor.

According to the Congress’ pact with the JD(S), the grand old party was to get the mayoral post this time. However, in a plot twist, the JD(S) won the mayor’s seat.

This was widely seen as an extension of Shivakumar's game of one upmanship with Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah. Also, this was perceived as a small win for Kumaraswamy who has been feuding with Siddaramaiah.

That this happened on Siddaramaiah’s turf - he is a native of Mysuru district - has not gone down too well within the party.

Shivakumar was confronted about this during a closed-door meeting on Thursday, according to sources. Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, former speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, former minister Krishna Byre Gowda and others were present.

Apparently, Siddaramaiah said he was peeved that such a decision was taken without his consent. He is said to have accused Shivakumar of having spoken with JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy directly on deciding the outcome of the Mysuru mayoral election.

Siddaramaiah is said to have pointed out how he had never interfered with local politics in the Ramanagara district, which is Shivakumar’s turf.

According to sources, Kumar backed Siddaramaiah. The former speaker is said to have told Shivakumar that the entire development sent out a wrong message, conveying that all was not well in the party.

Throughout the meeting, Shivakumar said he was not at fault and said local Congress leaders took decisions.

Speaking to reporters later, Shivakumar said there was no misunderstanding on the Mysuru mayoral election. “As per the agreement, we should’ve got the mayor’s post. I don’t know why it didn’t happen,” he said, adding that he had sought a report on this from KPCC working president R Dhruvanarayana. Shivakumar refuted the claim that he contacted Kumaraswamy, saying he spoke with JD(S) leader Sa Ra Mahesh on continuing the Congress-JD(S) alliance.

Cong padayatra

The Congress will hold padayatras in 100 assembly constituencies as part of a massive organisation-building exercise, KPCC president DK Shivakumar said Thursday. This will start March 3 with a padayatra starting 5 am from the party office all the way till Devanahalli and then Chikballapur, he said.