Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar visiting Delhi; appointments to boards and corporations likely to be discussed

Even as All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala continues his meeting with Congress legislators in the State this week, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar are set to go to Delhi. While both are going for official purposes, the timing has set off speculations, and according to sources discussion on appointments to boards and corporations could figure in meetings.

Mr. Shivakumar on Monday told reporters in Bengaluru that he was going to Delhi on Tuesday to meet Union Jal Shakthi Minister C.R. Patil since he had scheduled an appointment to discuss forest land issues pertaining to the Yettinahole project in Hassan and Tumakuru. When asked if he would meet the party high command, the KPCC president said: “The party office is like a temple for us. I make it a point to visit it and offer our prayers.”

A note from the Chief Minister’s Office on Monday said that Mr. Siddaramaiah will also be reaching Delhi on Wednesday to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the air show during Dasara festivities in Mysuru.

Sources said that though Mr. Siddaramaiah was to meet Mr. Surjewala in Bengaluru to discuss appointments to boards and corporations — the delay has been attributed as one reason for legislators and senior party functionaries to become restive — the meeting is likely to happen in Delhi.

“Mr. Siddaramaiah was to have met Mr. Surjewala in Bengaluru on July 9 evening. Since the Chief Minister’s appointment with the Defence Minister was fixed for July 9 in Delhi, Mr. Siddaramaiah is likely to meet the party’s Central leader in Delhi on July 10. Mr. Shivakumar will also be part of the meeting,” sources said, adding that if other senior leaders are available, the Chief Minister could possibly meet them.

Meanwhile, Home Minister G. Parameshwara told reporters here that he would meet Mr. Surjewala if he is called as he was unable to meet him last week. He also said that the Rambhapuri Mutt seer’s statement seeking the Chief Minister’s position for Mr. Shivakumar was his personal statement. ”What is wrong with that?”