A series of one-on-one meetings between AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and Karnataka ministers have recently concluded, sparking political discussions and drawing criticism from opposition parties. These meetings, which took place over three days, were reportedly aimed at addressing grievances from party MLAs, assessing ministerial performance, and coordinating efforts within the government.
The backdrop to these meetings is a rumored power struggle for the Chief Minister's post between current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. This context has amplified the significance of Surjewala's interactions with the ministers, leading to speculation about potential leadership changes and internal party dynamics.
During the meetings, MLAs reportedly voiced concerns regarding insufficient funding for constituency development and perceived inaccessibility of some ministers. Surjewala's subsequent discussions with the ministers focused on these complaints, with the intention of conveying the feedback to the party high command. Several ministers, including Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, and Industries Minister M.B. Patil, met with Surjewala. Patil briefed Surjewala on the progress of the industries department and land acquisition in Devanahalli, with Surjewala expressing satisfaction.
However, not all ministers attended the meetings, with K.H. Muniyappa, Shivanand Patil, and others being absent. Cooperation Minister K.N. Rajanna also skipped the meeting, citing a pre-scheduled trip to Europe.
The opposition BJP and JD(S) have seized upon these meetings to attack the ruling Congress, with some leaders dubbing Surjewala the "Super CM" and suggesting that he is running the government. BJP leader R. Ashoka claimed that the Congress high command has lost faith in Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and has imposed "Randeep rule" in Karnataka. JD(S)'s Nikhil Kumaraswamy echoed this sentiment, asserting that elected MLAs are now forced to appeal to a "Surjewala Sarkar" for constituency development funds.
Surjewala himself has used the opportunity to target the central government and the BJP-JD(S) coalition, accusing them of endangering Bengaluru's environment by prioritizing real estate development over green spaces. He specifically criticized the Modi government and H.D. Kumaraswamy for allegedly obstructing the creation of a biodiversity park in Bengaluru.
Despite the political posturing and speculation, some ministers have downplayed the significance of the meetings. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that Surjewala simply shared some feedback, while Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said he briefed Surjewala on development work within his department. Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology Minister N.S. Boseraju indicated that the demands of MLAs were brought to his notice and that most MLAs had given positive feedback about him.
The meetings have highlighted existing tensions and grievances within the Karnataka Congress. While some view Surjewala's intervention as a necessary step to address these issues and improve governance, others perceive it as an overreach that undermines the authority of the elected Chief Minister. The long-term impact of these meetings on the stability and direction of the Karnataka government remains to be seen.
