Suresh, Priyank Kharge in Delhi; DKS says he is in no hurry

Ahead of crucial meetings on the continuing political saga on power-sharing and leadership change in Karnataka, D.K. Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Priyank Kharge reached Delhi on Friday.

Both leaders are said to have gone to the national capital to hold discussions with the party’s central leaders on the continuing impasse.

D.K. Suresh

Meanwhile, Mr. Shivakumar, who has been demanding the Chief Minister’s post after the halfway mark of the government’s five-year tenure, maintained that he was in “no hurry” and the party would take a decision on all matters. In reply to a question, Mr. Shivakumar said, “The party workers may be eager, but I am in no hurry. The party will take all the decisions.” He cancelled his ticket to Delhi which was earlier booked for Friday.

In another development, Nanjavadutha Swamy of the Vokkaliga community called on Mr. Shivakumar at the latter’s residence and backed his claim for the top post. He said the Vokkaliga community also belongs to the backward classes, and Mr. Shivakumar also belongs to the AHINDA group, just like Mr. Siddaramaiah. The seer claimed that there was growing sentiment across all communities backing Mr. Shivakumar.

At the right time

Before leaving for Delhi, Mr. Priyank Kharge said the Congress high command possesses the sense of timing to resolve the intensifying power tussle between Mr. Siddaramaiah and his deputy. He said the party would intervene at the right time. Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar have agreed to travel to Delhi for a meeting when summoned by the party high command.

“Nobody has given any official invitation or statement on the meeting in New Delhi. The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister have said that they will go to Delhi if they are invited by the Congress president or AICC general secretary and Karnataka in charge Randeep Singh Surjewala,” the Minister said.