Suspense continues over opposition leader’s post in Karnataka assembly

BENGALURU: While the race for the Karnataka Congress president post has more or less settled between DK Shivakumar and MB Patil, suspense continues over the leader of the opposition (LoP) position in the assembly.
While the high command is under pressure to name a replacement well ahead of the assembly session commencing in February, the focus appears to be on filling the state party chief’s post.
Dinesh Gundurao had resigned as state party chief alongside Siddaramaiah, who quit as both leader of the opposition and Congress Legislature Party leader. However, the resignations are yet to be accepted.
"Expectations are that the high command will announce the new KPCC president any time now, while it will take time to decide on the LoP post," said a senior functionary. The high command is apparently toying with various options, one of which is to continue with Siddaramaiah in both positions for now. Another option, sources said, is to appoint a new CLP leader and continue with Siddaramaiah as LoP. The issue has split opinion.
"Separating CLP leader and LoP would amount to creation of two centres of power, which goes against the interest of the party," said an aide of Siddaramaiah. "The high command has acknowledged that it sees a point in doing that. Siddaramaiah will likely continue in his present position."
But members of Siddaramaiah’s rival camp beg to differ. They say the high command has decided to divest Siddaramaiah of the posts. Former KPCC president G Parameshwara could take over as both CLP leader and LoP. Another source said the positions would be handed to two different leaders.
"Whether it split the posts or keeps it undivided, we will abide by the high command’s decision," said HK Patil, a senior functionary and an aspirant for both posts.
Khandre future’s uncertain
Should the high command appoint MB Patil as KPCC chief, it could spell trouble for party’s working president Eshwar Khandre. "If Patil is made KPCC chief, Khandre will have to resign as the party cannot have two Lingayat leaders at the helm," a top functionary said. "I am prepared to quit if party considers Patil for the top post," Khandre told TOI. Some functionaries are worried that sacking Khadre and installing Patil will divide the Lingayat community as they belong to different subsects of the community.