The Congress government in Karnataka will write to industries in Bengaluru to grant three days of leave so voters from Bihar can exercise their franchise in the state polls slated to be held on November 6 and 11, said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Shivakumar made the remark while addressing a meeting of the Bihar Association in the city on Sunday, where he also asked Bihar natives living in Bengaluru to vote for the Mahagathbandhan, which comprises the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, and other parties.
‘Trying to save your votes in Bihar’
“All of you have said that I deserve a bigger post. That is not important to me. I would be happier if you all vote for the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. Nitish Kumar is at the fag end of his political career, Tejashwi Yadav has been declared as the CM candidate for Bihar,” Shivakumar said.
“Lakhs of voters have been removed from the voters’ list in Bihar. We are trying to save your votes in Bihar. I appeal to all of you to go to Bihar and vote for the Mahagathbandhan. We will direct Credai (Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India), contractors, and other organisations to declare a three-day holiday so that you all can go to Bihar to vote,” he added.
Shivakumar said people from Bihar have played a key role in the construction sector in Bengaluru. His pitch to the Bihar Association comes amid growing anxiety in the state government about a Cabinet reshuffle, including the top posts, after the Bihar polls, as the Karnataka Congress government will complete 2.5 years of its tenure on November 20.
Only high command can decide: Siddaramaiah on Cabinet reshuffle
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has indicated that a Cabinet reshuffle will take place in November, claiming to have conveyed a need for the same to the Congress high command even as Shivakumar is hoping to be handed the CM’s mantle as per an agreement reportedly made between them when the government was formed in May 2023.
Siddaramaiah, however, reacted sharply on Sunday when informed about the Bihar Association’s support for Shivakumar’s ascent to the chief minister’s post. “People will say many things. Only the party high command can make a statement. Has Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, or Mallikarjun Kharge said anything? The high command must decide. I will speak to Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge after the Bihar polls,” he stated.
Story continues below this ad
With some of Siddaramaiah’s supporters saying on Sunday that he will remain the chief minister for five years, Shivakumar responded that only the statements of the chief minister and his deputy will matter in the issue.
Siddaramaiah is believed to enjoy the support of the majority of Congress MLAs in Karnataka, although age is not on his side to lead the Congress in the next state polls in 2028, when he will be 80. While Shivakumar lacks mass support, he is seen as an efficient organiser in the Congress party.