Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Hosts Controversial Dinner Meeting Amid Cabinet Reshuffle Rumors

"Is Having A Meal A Major Crime?" Siddaramaiah On Row Over Dinner Meet

"We occasionally have meals," said Siddaramaiah. (File)

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah responded to rumors about his dinner meeting with Cabinet Ministers in Bengaluru by questioning whether "having a meal with Cabinet Ministers is supposed to be a major crime."

The Chief Minister made these remarks after inaugurating the Kittur festival torch before his journey to Hubballi. When reporters inquired about the dinner scheduled for Monday with his Cabinet Ministers, Siddaramaiah replied, "We occasionally have meals. Is having a meal a major crime?"

This dinner meeting comes amid intense speculation regarding potential leadership changes and cabinet reshuffling in Karnataka. The gathering is scheduled at the Chief Minister's official residence 'Cauvery' in Bengaluru at 7 p.m. on Monday.

All Cabinet Ministers have received invitations, with several openly confirming their attendance. However, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar has not yet commented on the event.

Adding to the political intrigue, Shivakumar has cancelled all his Monday appointments, fueling further speculation. Party sources indicate that the Deputy Chief Minister will attend the dinner alongside Congress National General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala.

According to Congress party insiders, Siddaramaiah has multiple objectives for this gathering. The primary goal appears to be asserting his authority over the state party unit, countering claims from Shivakumar's supporters about a potential leadership change in November and rumors of a "November Revolution" within Karnataka's Congress government.

Another important agenda item is reportedly to communicate with Cabinet Ministers about possible "sacrifices" of Cabinet positions for the party's benefit. Siddaramaiah faces the delicate task of implementing a Cabinet reshuffle without creating internal discord.

Members of Siddaramaiah's faction are concerned that Ministers who lose their positions might be drawn to Shivakumar's camp. Additionally, the Chief Minister plans to address issues raised by the Karnataka State Contractors' Association in a letter sent to both him and the Congress high command.

Siddaramaiah is expected to instruct ministers whose departments are under scrutiny to improve processes and resolve outstanding issues. Ministers allied with Siddaramaiah have described the dinner as an opportunity for relaxed interaction with the Chief Minister after a long period without such gatherings.

The meeting will likely include discussions on the success of guarantee schemes over the past two-and-a-half years and upcoming significant decisions by the Congress-led government. Siddaramaiah is also expected to address challenges related to the caste census, particularly regarding reservation changes.

Political observers suggest Siddaramaiah aims to prepare party leaders and Cabinet Ministers for upcoming political challenges while emphasizing unity following the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that the dinner meeting's purpose is to direct Cabinet Ministers to arrange funds for the Bihar Assembly elections, claiming that Congress has turned Karnataka into its "ATM" for the Bihar polls.