Cooperation Minister Rajanna hints at ‘major political developments’ after September

After remaining silent for close to two months, Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna on Thursday hinted at “major political developments” in Karnataka after September.

Comments by Mr. Rajanna, a loyalist of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, after the latter’s three-day trip to New Delhi and talks with Central leaders, assumed significance amid speculation about a possible Cabinet reshuffle and leadership change in the State later this year.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Rajanna said: “Let September pass….There will be developments in State politics. It will begin after September.”

Mr. Rajanna is one among the Chief Minister’s loyalists seeking removal of D.K. Shivakumar as KPCC president. Currently, Mr. Shivakumar is on an extended tenure. There has also been speculation within the ruling Congress about change of the Chief Minister later this year, following power-sharing deal involving Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar.

Asked about the opinion among some legislators that Mr. Siddaramaiah is not the same as he was during his first term as Chief Minister (2013-18) and whether there is pressure on him, Mr. Rajanna said: “There are too many power centres in the ruling Congress in the State.”

Noting that there was only one power centre during 2013-18, Mr. Rajanna said: “Now there are many one, two, three…” apparently referring to the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, and the party high command.

“When there are many power centres, there will be a flurry of activities, and in that background, he (Mr. Siddaramaiah) will also have to manage the government and party, according to the situation,” Mr. Rajanna said. “You may say that you cannot see Mr. Siddaramaiah of 2013-18 and that is more or less the opinion of the people too.”

However, reacting to Mr. Rajanna’s remark, Mr. Shivakumar said: “The Chief Minister has not lost control… The high command has also not lost control… Only the media is blowing up the issue.”

Meanwhile, asked about any “big development” in State politics or at the government level, by the end of this year, Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another loyalist of the Chief Minister, said: “I would not say big changes, but there may be changes.”

Asked about the possibility of Cabinet reshuffle, he said: “There may be some changes, not big changes…”

These comments from the Ministers come after Congress legislators, such as Raju Kage, B.R. Patil and Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, met Mr. Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, soon after the Chief Minister returned from Delhi.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Patil said he had explained the alleged housing scam to both the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister and it is left to them to take action.