Bengaluru, Dec 3 (LatestNewsX) – When Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s supporters gathered outside Mangaluru International Airport, they shouted slogans calling on him to become the chief minister. The same crowd was quickly met with a wave of chants from Siddaramaiah’s followers, who shouted “Siddu full-term CM” as the chief minister walked into the city on Wednesday.
The pro‑Shivakumar protests erupted as Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament K.C. Venugopal stepped out of the airport earlier that day. A sizeable group of local leaders then followed Siddaramaiah’s exit, ringing out their own slogans in his favor and effectively countering the earlier calls for Shivakumar.
Congress Municipal and Legislative Councillor Ivan D’Souza was among those who raised “Siddu full-term CM” and rallied supporters to shout in favour of Siddaramaiah.
Shivakumar did not attend the event that included Siddaramaiah and Venugopal. Sources suggest the gathering was designed to showcase Siddaramaiah’s standing and send a clear signal to the party’s upper echelons.
With the exception of Minister for Women and Child Welfare Laxmi Hebbalkar, most ministers present claimed affiliation with the AHINDA group. Siddaramaiah is widely seen as the leader of the AHINDA base – an acronym for Alpasankhyataru (Minorities), Hindulidavaru (Backward Classes), and Dalitaru (Dalits). Hebbalkar, in charge of the Udupi district, is a close ally of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar.
Meanwhile, Shivakumar has plans to head to Delhi later that afternoon for a private engagement, a move that has only fueled speculation. In the interim, Siddaramaiah met with K.C. Venugopal at the Mangaluru University Guest House, and the chief minister, along with ministers and MLAs, held an informal meeting before the public event. This development is expected to intensify the unfolding drama.
In response to the pro‑Shivakumar slogans, former MP and Shivakumar’s brother D.K. Suresh told reporters in Bengaluru that the supporters were motivated by admiration and that no one tried to block Venugopal’s passage.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who attended the event with the chief minister, said he was present only because he had been invited. He added that he had no knowledge of what was discussed at the recent breakfast meeting between the CM and Deputy CM, and stated, “I assume the situation is cordial now. There are no differences in the Congress party—issues are being created unnecessarily. In this backdrop, I think there are no problems now.”
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, discussing the CM’s remark that “nothing is permanent in politics,” said, “The Chief Minister’s statement that nothing is permanent in politics is correct. If the high command asks him to vacate the position, he will have to. That is the prerogative of the high command. He may step down after 30 months or even earlier, but eventually one day he will have to vacate the post. The high command knows this. Let us see how they resolve the matter. Workers are hoping for a cordial atmosphere within the party.”
Former minister and senior Congress MLA K.N. Rajanna commented on the breakfast meeting, likening it to pre‑marriage visits: “This breakfast meeting is like the visits to the houses of boys and girls before marriage. First the groom’s side visits the bride’s house, later the bride’s side visits the groom’s house. That is what this has become. Nothing will change—whatever is in place will continue. In villages, to please gods, people sacrifice chicken or sheep. Likewise, peace offerings have been made in both houses, and there will be peace in the future.”
He added, “We think there will be no change in leadership. If there is any change, the high command will convey it. After the Belagavi Winter Session, a Cabinet reshuffle will be taken up.”
— mka/rad
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