Bengaluru/Mysuru, 27 Feb

Dozens of “like-minded” supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar gathered at a hotel to strategise how they could make their leader the Chief Minister.

Magadi MLA HC Balakrishna organised the gathering to discuss how “to end the confusion regarding power sharing” with the 40 MLAs on Thursday. They decided to lobby for Shivakumar’s elevation, Congress sources said.

“If our party continues like this, it will be difficult for us in the future,” Balakrishna said. “The High Command must give a final shape to this issue.”

The High Command is not “sleeping there in Delhi”. It knows what is happening in Karnataka, he added.

However, Shivakumar on Friday said he did not know about the meeting.

“Whether they change the President or the CM is the High Command’s decision. But a decision must be made. It’s not just our opinion. What we want is that the confusion must end,” Balakrishna added.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Working President Tanveer Sait said that if the High Command didn’t provide clarity soon, there could be a major political crisis.

CONG WORKER WRITES TO KHARGE

Meanwhile, a Congress worker, KP Bhagyaraj, in the Mysuru District party Committee has written a letter to party Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, urging him to appoint Shivakumar as the Chief Minister. He urged Kharge to consider Shivakumar’s “sacrifice and contribution”.