Amidst speculation of leadership change in Karnataka, two key leaders, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, were in the nation's capital, Delhi. DK Shivakumar met with Priyanka Gandhi, while Siddaramaiah had a meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Both leaders requested separate meetings with the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. However, neither was granted an appointment by Rahul Gandhi.
Amit Malviya, head of BJP's IT cell, shared a video of Karnataka's CM, taking potshots by stating that Siddaramaiah was humiliated in Delhi. Despite traveling to the capital, Rahul Gandhi did not allocate time for Siddaramaiah, leading him to return without a meeting.
In a post from his social media handle on platform X, Malviya remarked that this isn't the first instance of any senior leader from Karnataka being disrespected by a Gandhi. He highlighted historical references, mentioning how Rajiv Gandhi dismissed the ailing Virendra Patil without a valid reason, which allegedly led to Congress's decline in Karnataka.
Read also: 'No leadership change discussion...', says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah after meeting with Mallikarjun Kharge
Malviya commented that a 'weakened' Siddaramaiah has to hide behind DK Shivakumar, who is allegedly keenly waiting to seize his chair. He cited the inability to meet Rahul Gandhi as another example of the continued disdain by the Congress party and the Gandhi family towards Kannada people.
Read also: 'I will remain CM for five years...', Siddaramaiah quashes leadership change rumors in Karnataka
It is noteworthy that just a day earlier, Karnataka's CM Siddaramaiah mentioned having sought an appointment with Rahul Gandhi but acknowledged the lack of a response regarding the same. On the leadership change inquiry, Siddaramaiah referred to DK Shivakumar's remark that there is no vacancy for the chief minister's position.
Read also: 'In two months, DK Shivakumar will become Karnataka's CM,' claims Congress MLA Iqbal Hussain
After his meeting with Congress President Kharge, Siddaramaiah reiterated that there has been no discussion on the leadership change issue, asserting that it's not even before the high command. Previously, in an exclusive interview with India Today, Siddaramaiah had asserted that the CM's chair is not vacant and he would continue to lead for the next five years, planning to head the Congress's campaign in the next elections.
