Siddaramaiah exit triggers concern in Congress unit

Mysuru: Congress workers in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar districts are concerned that Siddaramaiah’s exit from the chief minister’s post could weaken the party’s organisational strength in the region.

Mysuru district has the third-highest number of assembly constituencies in the state after Bengaluru Urban and Belagavi districts.

Party activists have flagged the fact that there is currently no second-line neta within Congress who enjoys district-wide appeal like Siddaramaiah. They fear that BJP and JD(S) may attempt to capitalise on the situation and strengthen their presence in the twin districts.

Ahinda community leaders, who met in Mysuru Saturday, urged Congress to continue to follow the policies of the Siddaramaiah govt. They urged a suitable position for Congress MLC Yathindra, Siddaramaiah’s son.

The leaders who met in the city demanded implementation of the caste survey report, four MLC seats for the most backward classes, and at least 50% of boards and corporation chairman posts for OBC candidates.

Congress functionaries in the region are seeking special attention from the party high command to ensure organisational stability and prevent any political setback in the region in the aftermath of Siddaramaiah’s exit.

According to Congress netas, who spoke on condition of anonymity, in the 2023 state assembly election, Siddaramaiah played a key role in the party’s strategy right from announcement of candidates.

“He played a key role in mobilising Ahinda voters in favour of the party, which helped us sweep the region, including Kodagu. However, now the party has less than two years to prepare for the next assembly election, under the leadership of a new CM. It is not easy to take on the formidable BJP-JD(S) alliance,” explained a senior Congress functionary.

BJP netas, meanwhile, feel Siddaramaiah’s exit will boost the party’s prospects not only in the Old Mysuru region, but in the entire state.

“Siddaramaiah won’t be active in Congress organisational matters in the coming days. His exit will definitely upset Ahinda voters, who will look for alternatives. Basically, Kuruba voters, who had switched from Janata Parivar to Congress because of Siddaramaiah, will now turn anti-Congress. This will be an advantage for BJP in the state,” said senior BJP functionary and former minister N Mahesh.

However, some Congress netas are hopeful that Siddaramaiah will lead the party organisation in 2028, too. “He has not announced retirement from active politics. He will continue to play a key role in organisational matters and governance. So, the party’s fortunes will remain intact,” they said.