Siddaramaiah summoned to Delhi to discuss preparations for 2018 polls
That Siddaramaiah has ignored Karnataka's development has become so popular in the political circles that Yeddyurappa even declared him as the last Congress CM of the state.
In Short
- Congress routed in elections to four state assemblies
- Siddaramaiah summoned to New Delhi on May 26
- Congress cannot afford to lose Karnataka in next two years
A day after the Congress was routed in the elections to the four state assemblies, the first impact is on its largest ruled state - Karnataka. Its chief minister Siddaramaiah has been summoned to New Delhi on May 26 by the Congress high command in what many believe could be a crucial meeting for the party if it has to retain power when Karnataka goes to polls in 2018.
"The CM has been asked to meet the party leaders in Delhi to chalk out governance and development programmes for the next two years in Karnataka. We have just two years left to win back the confidence of the people. This meeting is important as crucial decisions will be taken," a source close to the CM pointed out.
BJP is gaining strength in Karanataka
Apart from Karnataka, the Congress is in power in Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and through coalition in Uttarakhand and Puducherry. It cannot afford to lose Karnataka in the next two years even as the BJP is gaining in strength by appointing former CM BS Yeddyurappa as the head of the party unit in the state. Siddaramaiah is no more on good terms with senior leaders such as former Union ministers S M Krishna and Janardhana Poojary, who have been critical of his working style.
"The high command will deliver him several important messages next week - give top priority to Bengaluru development; announce people-friendly programmes; improve industrial infrastructure; drop his aides from the Cabinet and accommodate more capable youngsters; keep his sons out of his office and moreover take senior leaders into confidence. Unless these are accomplished, it will be difficult for us to face the people in two years during election time," a minister in his government, noted.
That Siddaramaiah has ignored Karnataka's development has become so popular in the political circles that Yeddyurappa even declared him as the last Congress CM of the state.
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