Despondency crept into the coalition ranks as chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has asked former chief minister Siddaramaiah to bring back his shishyas (disciples) who are camping at a resort in Mumbai.
Bengaluru: Picture this; In the far-off Mumbai, a rebel Congress MLA from Yeshwantpur ST Somashekar, addressing the media from the private resort they are staying in, categorically said the neither he not the other rebels in the camp would withdraw their resignations.
Back home in Bengaluru, a desperate chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, who landed at the HAL airport this evening (July 7), drove straight to the Taj West End, the cynosure of all eyes.
While Somashekar was in no mood to relent, CM Kumaraswamy almost went down on his knees at the meeting with former CM Siddaramaiah. Sources said, “When Kumaraswamy met Siddaramaiah, he pleaded with him to somehow bring back Somashekar and others who are his shishyas (disciples). The CM further added that Ramalinga Reddy, the Congress MLA from BTM Layout holds the key to everything. If he is brought back, things will fall back to normalcy.”
Sources further added, “While Kumaraswamy sought Siddaramaiah to talk to his shishyas, he added that he would speak to H Vishwanath, the JD(S) MLA from Hunsur and other JD(S) MLAs who have resigned and bring them back.”
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The despondency doesn’t stop with the CM. Earlier today (July 7) senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge rang up Ramalinga Reddy to extend an olive branch and ensure he doesn’t shift loyalties. But sources say that Reddy was not moved even by an inch by Kharge’s implorations. He is reported to have said, “When I made similar pleas when I was relegated, you did not respond to me. I have made up my mind. I won’t budge.”
Similar was the case with trouble-shooter DK Shivakumar, who met RR Nagar Congress MLA Muniratna along with his brother DK Suresh. The siblings spoke to an incensed and indignant Muniratna for two hours, but Muniratna didn’t pay heed. Ultimately, he organised a formal rapprochement with KC Venugopal, the Congress state in-charge for Karnataka. Fortunately for the Congress, Muniratna is said to have conceded.
Among the hectic talks, Siddaramaiah urged his supporters on social media not to foul-mouth anyone or issue statements that are an affront to any senior leader.
Surely, the dissidence in coalition ranks is proving to be a serious predicament to resolve for the honchos of both the parties.
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