Siddaramaiah Under Pressure: Congress Legislators Push for Cabinet Shuffle

Senior Congress legislators are pressuring Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for a cabinet reshuffle, seeking opportunities for new faces. Around 40 long-serving MLAs plan to appeal to the Congress high command post-local by-polls. The current political dynamics indicate potential tensions between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.

Senior Congress lawmakers in Karnataka have urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for a reshuffle of his cabinet, seeking to incorporate new leadership from their ranks. On Tuesday, approximately 40 MLAs, all seasoned politicians who have served more than three terms, met with Siddaramaiah at the Legislative Assembly office.

The group intends to travel to New Delhi to meet the Congress high command following the upcoming by-elections on April 11. Their primary demand is the induction of at least 20 of their members into ministerial positions. H C Balakrishna, one of the legislators, highlighted the necessity to refresh the cabinet by introducing experienced leaders into positions of significance.

The push for a cabinet change arises amidst rumors of leadership struggles within the party. Key politicians, including Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, are said to be in a quiet contest over future leadership, with cabinet reshuffle decisions potentially impacting their political fates.

(With inputs from agencies.)