Siddu’s birthday bash to be show of strength

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT
Bengaluru

The big bash Siddaramaiah supporters are planning to mark the 75th birthday of the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly in Davangere on August 3, is likely to turn into a show of strength ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls with both the former CM and KPCC president DK Shivakmar eyeing the CM post.

The proposed bash has already created a mild tremor in the State Congress with the Kuruba leader making no secret of his desire for a second innings as CM. Davangere City has been selected as it is located in the centre of Karnataka and is equidistant from Bidar in the North and Chamarajanagar in the South.It is also well-connected both by road and rail. The city has witnessed several political jamborees in the past too. In fact Siddaramaiah had planned to hold an Ahinda meet in Mysuru but it was shelved on the advice of the Congress high command.

As an alternative, his wellwishers have proposed a mega event in Davangere on August 3. A committee under the honorary chairmanship of former minister R.V.Deshpande, has been constituted to make the event a grand affair.

While former MLA K N. Rajanna has been made chairman of the committee, Hebbal MLA Byrathi Suresh is the treasurer. The event is likely to be attended by former AICC President Rahul Gandhi, AICC Organisational Secretary K.C.Venugopal, KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar, Rajya Sabha member Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council B.K. Hariprasad.

A few Congress leaders had reportedly objected to converting Siddaramaiah’s birthday bash into a party function and felt it would be better to have a party convention instead. Those leaders are acutely aware of the fact that this event would be used to promote Siddaramaiah as a strong contender for the CM post.