Amid ‘disgruntlement’, leadership change buzz, Surjewala meets Karnataka Congress MLAs
The AICC general secretary says any news that is circulated in the media about leadership change is only a figment of imagination
Bengaluru: AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, began meetings with party legislators here amid signs of “disgruntlement” and speculation about a leadership change within the ruling party.
However, terming the meetings as an organisational exercise undertaken by both AICC and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Surjewal said, any news that is circulated in the media about leadership change is only a “figment of imagination”.
This is a continuous exercise for introspection and development of the State. It is a long exercise. It will happen over a period of a month or month-and-half, during which he will be meeting party legislators, MPs, defeated candidates, District Congress Committee chiefs, before meeting Ministers, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, he said.
According to party sources, as part of the first phase of his three-day visit, Surjewala on Monday held one-on-one meetings with legislators from the Chikkaballapura and Kolar districts.
He is expected to hear their grievances and collect feedback on the government’s functioning, sources said.
The meetings have gained significance as some MLAs have recently expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s performance.
They also come at a time when speculation over a leadership change has resurfaced following Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna’s remarks hinting at “revolutionary” political developments after September.
There is also talk within party circles of a possible cabinet reshuffle and a change of State Congress president, a post currently held by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Speaking to reporters, Surjewala said he is meeting all Congress legislators individually in order to understand the status of the five guarantee schemes in their respective Assembly constituencies, as the government has completed two years in office.
Noting that Karnataka is the only State in the country that transfers Rs 58,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of the people, Surjewala said, “We want to know from our MLAs, the status of Congress guarantees in their constituencies, any improvements that needs be done, what further transparency and accountability that can be brought.”
Efforts are also on to understand from the legislators the status of the Congress organisation in their respective Assembly segments, he said.
The functioning of the block Congress committee, the Assembly Congress committee, NSUI, Youth Congress, Seve Dal, SC/ST Minority and OBC departments, will be analysed, so that they can be reviewed and reconstituted if necessary, he added.
Pointing out that the party is trying to understand how much work has been done by each legislator in their respective constituencies in terms of development and what further development works are pending, the general secretary said, “If necessary, we will tell our Ministers and the Chief Minister as to what work needs to be done.” “We also want to understand from MLAs what should be the course of the government and what further things that the government can do which are people-friendly,” he said.
Stating that he has called MLAs from two divisions this time, and next week he will be back again to meet the remaining MLAs, Surjewala said, after that, he will be calling all the defeated candidates (MLAs, MLCs and Lok Sabha polls) and would also hold discussion with DCC president.
“I will then call ministers, discuss with the CM and Deputy CM and suitable measures for development will be taken,” he added.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge said Surjewala has come. “Based on his report and what feedback he gathers, we will decide what steps to take.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, said, “He is the AICC general secretary in-charge. He will seek the opinion of MLAs, hear their concerns, and assess what needs to be done to strengthen the organisation. He will do his job.” Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said Surjewala regularly visits Karnataka to review party matters, not just government affairs.
“He will also review political aspects, party programmes, and if there are disturbances within the party or government, he will guide us as the in-charge General Secretary,” he said.
Surjewala may also address concerns raised by certain MLAs in recent weeks, he added.
Aland MLA B R Patil had alleged bribery in public housing allotments under the Housing Department, while Kagwad MLA Raju Kage had hinted at resigning, citing delays in developmental works and fund release, and alleging that the administration had “completely collapsed.”
Their remarks have embarrassed the ruling Congress, with opposition BJP and JD(S) accusing the government of “rampant corruption” and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.
Siddaramaiah met both Patil and Kage last week after returning from New Delhi and reportedly assured them that their concerns would be addressed.
He is also said to have urged them “not to speak publicly against the government”.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting for a cabinet reshuffle as the Congress government has completed two years in office.
