- 1 day ago
In a significant political development in Karnataka, the Congress high command has requested the incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to step down, according to sources.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Good evening, you're watching To The Point. I'm Preeti Chaudhary. The big news is emanating from the Congress headquarters in
00:06the National Capital.
00:07It seems that the Congress High Command has made a decision where it comes down to Karnataka and who remains
00:15or takes over as Chief Minister.
00:17We've got the latest coming in from our sources, but first up, allow me to take you through the headlines.
00:28Marathon meetings end, but status quo in Karnataka as of now.
00:32Venu Gopal says talks only held in Rajya Sabha.
00:34Poll sources say Sidharamaya has been asked to step down as Chief Minister and move to Rajya Sabha.
00:45Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay may meet Prime Minister Modi tomorrow on his second day visit to Delhi.
00:51Vijay also likely to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
00:55First visit to Delhi after becoming Chief Minister.
01:04India and the US seal a strategic agreement on rare earths and critical lingers aimed to ensure supply chain resilience
01:11in face of the China threat.
01:17Patry Eve showdown in Meera Road near Mumbai.
01:20Sacrificial goats tied in a residential society spark a communal row.
01:27Government forms a high-level committee to examine unnatural demographic changes.
01:32Home Minister Shah says committee will also present a planned and time-bound solution.
01:45After petrol and diesel, CNG price hiked.
01:48CNG price hiked by two per kilo in Delhi.
01:51Consumers to pay 83 per kilo for CNG.
02:17All right, big scoop coming in from the National Capital from our Political Bureau.
02:22Marathon meet in Delhi continues where Congress is concerned.
02:26And we have credible information that suggests that the incumbent Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddharamaya, has been told to step
02:35down as Chief Minister.
02:37Sources have told us Siddharamaya was also offered a Rajya Sabha seat and a bigger role where Delhi and Centre
02:44is concerned for the Congress.
02:47Siddharamaya promised a larger role in Delhi and told to take the Rajya Sabha route.
02:53While the Congress High Command seemingly in the mood now to honour a promise that they had made to D
03:00.K. Shiv Kumar of rotational Chief Minister Shipp.
03:03It seems it's reaching fruition as of now.
03:06Our sources seemingly have confirmed the same to India today.
03:11My colleague Moshmi caught up and spoke with wanting to be Chief Minister in the waiting for a very long
03:19time,
03:19Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D.K. Shiv Kumar.
03:22Listen in.
03:26So here, D.K. Shiv Kumar is right here and we'll try and get a...
03:31D.K. Sir, you're going to be the new Chief Minister of Karnataka, sir.
03:48So let's try and get D.K. Shiv Kumar right there.
03:54D.K. Sir, sir.
03:56Sir, what was discussed with you in one-on-one?
03:59Sir, what was discussed with you?
04:01Sir, what was discussed with you?
04:02D.K. sir.
04:03Leadership change ho rara hai.
04:05So sir, here, you Bata Dijay Raaj Sabha sa koonar raha hai?
04:07That was Raaj Sabha 5 hours to discuss me.
04:10Who is coming why Raaj Sabha 5...
04:11Sir, five hours you took to discuss Raaj Sabha?
04:15D.K. Shiv Kumar khamoosh hai hai hai hai hikha mooshi sa hai.
04:18Sir, what did Rahul Gandhi say to you?
04:20Excuse me, excuse me.
04:22Can you move aside?
04:23Yeah, yeah, he is not going to open.
04:25Sir, sir.
04:26Rike, sir.
04:27Rike, sir, at least give us a sound bite, sir.
04:29Sorry, sorry.
04:32Sir, is it possible that MLC and Ratsabha is discussed for six hours from morning till evening?
04:38How is it possible?
04:41Sir, are you going to become the new chief minister of Karnataka?
04:45Sir, DK Shivkumar keeping a very straight face there.
04:48He did have a smile when he came out of Indra Bhavan Akshata.
04:53And here DK Shivkumar having another meeting.
04:56He went inside after Siddhar Ramayana left.
04:59Party trying to put up a united face with a very short briefing by KC Vennikumar.
05:05DK, sir.
05:07Sir, victory sign, victory sign.
05:10Namaskar.
05:11All that we get is a namaste yet again.
05:14Since morning, we are seeing how whether it's Mr. Kharge or whether it's Mr. DK Shivkumar.
05:20He was keeping a very straight face there.
05:22Small smile, but really not saying a word.
05:27Completely tight-lipped.
05:29Interesting that Siddhar Ramayana did come out and say a few words,
05:33said that the MLC and the Ratsabha elections were discussed.
05:37But DK Shivkumar isn't blinking and isn't saying a word.
05:42My colleague Moshmi there, reporting, getting us the latest.
05:46The insider details clearly seem to suggest that the silence of DK Shivkumar might mean
05:52a fair bit, keeping in mind that our sources tell us that he could very well be the new
05:57Chief Minister of Karnataka.
05:59CM in waiting, Deputy CM, DK Shivkumar, a short while ago, left the Congress headquarters
06:05without saying a word.
06:07And our sources continue to tell us that the Congress high command,
06:11unlike what is usually the Congress's character, because if the party enjoys something,
06:16it's status quo.
06:17Well, awfully, the Congress party has been making very quick decisions and unusual decisions
06:23for the party.
06:24One of them could very well be the choice of Chief Minister of Kerala and also very quickly
06:29breaking an alliance with the DMK in the state of Tamil Nadu and going with the TV case.
06:34This is another one of those moves, very unexpected, because till late last night,
06:39Mosh thought that it would be status quo for the Congress where Karnataka leadership
06:44Chief Minister is concerned.
06:46I want to cut across right now.
06:48My colleague Rahul Gautam, who's been reporting and getting us the latest development, joins us.
06:53Rahul, interesting developments.
06:55One thing is quite clear now from all our sources that you and our entire political bureau is
07:01getting us the sheer fact that DK Shivkumar could very well be the new Chief Minister.
07:09And Siddharth Amai has been asked to step down.
07:12All right, more news coming in.
07:14I'm just going to come back to you.
07:15Chief Minister to resign.
07:16Chief Minister yet to be convinced for Rajya Sabha.
07:20CM in a huddle with closed ministers.
07:22DK to be new.
07:23CM.
07:23That's the new news break.
07:27Rahul, stay with me.
07:28for this piece of news where I think a confirmation now coming in from another set of sources that the
07:35Chief Minister is all set to resign.
07:38He's yet to be convinced about taking up a role in Delhi, a larger role through the route of Rajya
07:43Sabha.
07:44He is, which is Chief Minister Siddharth Amaiya, in a huddle with closed ministers.
07:47Mind you, if you remember, viewers, he had travelled to the national capital to meet with the Congress High Command
07:52with his closed ministers in tow, in a chartered flight.
07:57And he is right now in conversation with them.
08:01DK Shivkumar will be the new Chief Minister.
08:03The deputy in waiting now will be the CM.
08:07I want to cut across to my colleague, Naga Arjun Dwarkanath, a South India Bureau Chief.
08:13Naga, what more can you add?
08:14And we'll bring in Rahul Gautam as well.
08:21In fact, Preeti, this is some exclusive news that we are getting you, that Chief Minister has been informed to
08:27resign as soon as possible, is what we are told.
08:30Remember, Mossmi also got us the exclusive news break.
08:33And now I have a confirmation as well that Chief Minister would be stepping aside soon.
08:39The timeline is yet to be told.
08:40Even though KC Venu Gopal officially told the press that this discussion was about Rajasabha and MLC elections, which is
08:49set to be scheduled on June 18th, unofficial we have got source-based confirmation that Chief Minister has been told
08:55to resign.
08:56And if you look at the body language clearly, Preeti, in the press conference, DK Shivkumar is all smiles standing
09:01left of KC Venu Gopal.
09:03CM seems to be in a grumpy mood, standing to the right of Mr. KC Venu Gopal in the press
09:09conference.
09:10His official announcement will be soon done.
09:12It will not be announced tomorrow or day after because they want to still convince Siddharamaya to take the route
09:18of Rajasabha and give him a ceremonious exit.
09:21CM is yet to be convinced of Rajasabha.
09:23Right now, he's in the huddle with his close eight cabinet ministers.
09:26Has he agreed to quit, Naga, before I bring in Mashmi and Rahul?
09:29Has he agreed to quit?
09:35Has he agreed to step down?
09:36He said he would do it if Rahul Gandhi sits down.
09:40And now, it's come from the horse's mouth itself that Rahul Gandhi has told him to make way for DK
09:46Shivkumar.
09:46So, it seems like he will quit.
09:49Alright, so Naga Arjuna Dwarkanath, our South India Bureau Chief, breaking big news.
09:54It's coming from the horse's mouth.
09:55The horse's mouth is the Chief Minister, Mr. Siddharamaya, where he has said he would quit or step down.
10:02If Rahul Gandhi asks him to step down, and he has asked him to step down.
10:06So, that's big news that we are breaking viewers right here on the network.
10:09My colleague Moshmi was the first one to break the news.
10:11I want to bring in both Moshmi and Rahul Gautam, our two crack reporters who cover the Congress Party.
10:19Moshmi, big news that you broke.
10:20And now, all peace is coming in together at one end.
10:25Very unusual of the Congress.
10:26Big decisions the party has been making in the recent past.
10:29DK Shivkumar will now be the next Chief Minister.
10:32Siddharamaya asked to step down.
10:35Rahul, coming to you next.
10:40Pretty clearly, you know, this marathon meeting that lasted for seven hours.
10:46Clearly, something was brewing.
10:47It couldn't just be mulling over three Raj Sabha seats, and who could be the MLC candidate.
10:54And though the official word was out, the reason for that kind of statement was that there was no answer
11:02coming from Siddharamaya.
11:03When he was asked to step down, and he was given this offer that he should come to Raj Sabha,
11:10come to Delhi,
11:12take care of Delhi politics, and be the big OBC face of the Congress Party in the run-up to
11:18the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
11:21Rahul Gandhi's prime plan is OBC reservation, caste census, and Siddharamaya really fits the entire narrative of the Congress Party
11:30in Delhi.
11:31And that is what was discussed, and the reason that the meeting went on and on, that Rahul Gandhi had
11:38to actually go on for a lunch break after that and met DK Shivkumar only after that break.
11:44But clearly, the diktat was, in fact, it was more in the form of a request that there were signs
11:51that his tenure as the chief minister, the longest-serving chief minister,
11:56it was time to wrap up from here and move on to the politics of Delhi.
12:01He was told that all other issues will be taken care of, his say will be considered.
12:07But yes, importantly, and we will get more on this as the evening progresses, Preeti, he was not given that
12:17second sequence of events that who would be chief minister or DK Kumar was discussed with him.
12:28That was not done, only he said that this is the role that we are looking at for you ahead
12:34in the politics of Delhi.
12:36You know, I'm going to come right back to Moshmi.
12:38Let's take this question to Rahul Gautam, who's also been breaking news on the same story.
12:43Rahul, so the DK Shivkumar chapter not addressed where Siddharamaya is concerned.
12:50Chief Minister Siddharamaya requested, step down, come to Delhi, take a larger role, take the route of Rajya Sabha.
12:57The name who will replace him was not discussed with him,
13:00but the visuals seem to suggest a lot more that DK Shivkumar will finally now be from Deputy CM, Chief
13:07Minister.
13:08What else are you picking up? What else happened behind the scenes?
13:15Well, Preeti, as far as high command is concerned, it's a battle half won.
13:19They have convinced, you know, they have conveyed the decision to Siddharamaya that he needs to step down.
13:27And now the only thing that is before the high command is to have a smooth transition of power in
13:33the state of Karnataka.
13:34We've been informed that Siddharamaya has been assured that all his issues and all his concerns will be taken care
13:42of.
13:42But the cat is out of the bag now.
13:46You can say that now the bigger picture would be emerging very shortly as to who,
13:51whether DK Shivkumar is going to be placed as the next Chief Minister
13:55or whether Siddharamaya would be insisting that there should be a successor nominated by him only,
14:01as we've been hearing that he's been pushing the name of Parameshwar or there could be some other person.
14:07But one thing is very clear that it's just a matter of time now that Siddharamaya will be stepping down
14:14and a new Chief Minister would be swearing in.
14:17So that makes, you know, that brings this entire episode to a conclusion.
14:23Remember, you know, in Congress we say that taking, not taking a decision is also a decision in Congress party.
14:28But it seems that now we are seeing the entire exercise of decision making has been expedited.
14:34That's exactly what I've said. The last three decisions that the Congress party has made, Rahul,
14:40the last three decisions that the Congress party has made has been very, very unlike the Congress party.
14:45They have been very quick decisions.
14:46They have been very unusual of the Congress to make those decisions.
14:50And it's happened like this.
14:52I want to, you know, go back to Naga.
14:54Naga, when can we expect all that our sources are telling us to be made official?
15:02Well, it's about the Rajasabha elections.
15:06June 8th is the final day of nomination.
15:08So in the next 48 hours, there would be an official announcement is what we are told.
15:11This 48 hours is crucial because they want to convince the Chief Minister to ensure that he takes the Rajasabha
15:17route.
15:18And Siddharamaya is quite wary about coming to Delhi.
15:21He doesn't want to move to Delhi and continue his politics.
15:24He's almost at the verge of retirement.
15:26He said that he would not be contesting the 2028 Assembly election.
15:30So he doesn't want to have the fag end of his career in Delhi.
15:33He wants to be rooted to Karnataka and be in Karnataka politics.
15:37But that doesn't seem like a favorable and respectable exit if he doesn't take the Rajasabha route.
15:44Would Siddharamaya just sit back as a MLA in the last bench in the Assembly if D.K. Shukumar takes
15:49over?
15:49That doesn't look good for the optics of the Congress party.
15:52And there would also be the backlash of the OBC community.
15:54And hence, the Congress party is still trying to convince him, asking him to come to Delhi and strengthen the
15:59OBC factor of AICC together with Rahul Gandhi and Kargay there.
16:03And that's the reason they have not made it official is what we are told.
16:06CM right now is returning to Bengaluru tonight, late tonight.
16:11And he'll get into a huddle tomorrow.
16:13And very soon, we'll hear the official announcement.
16:16Very soon, 48 hours is what we're looking at, where we'll possibly hear the official announcement.
16:20I want to bring in Moshmi back into this conversation.
16:23Moshmi, what made the Congress, High Command, make the decision?
16:27Was it, okay, we promised D.K. Shukumar that it would be rotational chief ministership and we must give it
16:33to him?
16:33The time has come.
16:37Or was it, okay, let's make quick, smart decisions and get D.K. Shukumar, relatively younger, put him in place
16:45so he's all equipped then to fight the next election in 2028 under his leadership?
16:51Because till late last night, word coming in from the Congress was it could very well have been status quo.
17:01Right, P.T., I think that the Congress, High Command, did some quick fact checks and confronted some hard truths
17:08what's unfolding in Karnataka.
17:10And I must say that the Congress president who hails from Karnataka had a huge say in this entire decision
17:18making as Rahul Gandhi had earlier also left the decision on him saying that,
17:23you know the state well, you can do the dialogue and conversations with leaders when it had come to who
17:32will be the chief minister as the Congress came back in power.
17:35But clearly there was an understanding that the Karnataka government was really dragging and lagging and there was a need
17:46for a reboot and reset.
17:47Also that Siddharth Abiyya had been the longest serving chief minister.
17:52He's, for the most part of his politics in the past two decades, he's remained in power in ministerial posts.
18:00And importantly, you know, he'd already said that it's going to be his last election and he's not going to
18:07contest an election.
18:08So they wanted a forward-looking plan as far as, you know, no government has come back to power.
18:14If you look at Karnataka political landscape and parties and power has exchanged hands repeatedly.
18:22And that's one reason that the Congress wanted to put its best foot forward and of course, as you said,
18:28reward D.K. Shivkumar for being a party loyalist,
18:31for being a man of the organization, for strengthening the entire organization in Karnataka.
18:37When the Congress came back in power last time, he was the one who had actually worked really hard to
18:43strengthen the organization from the grassroot level.
18:46So despite the fact that the caste politics and the caste dynamics really don't weigh very heavy in his favor,
18:55they really thought that it was time that the party, a soldier of the party should be rewarded.
19:03And I think Sonia Gandhi also had a lot of say in coming to this decision that there needs a...
19:09Because there seem to have been a split there.
19:11And that change of leadership should be on the cards.
19:14Moshmi, stay with me. I want to just bring in Javed Ansari, senior journalist, Sanjay Shastri, political analyst, into this
19:19conversation.
19:20But we'll cut across to Rahul Gautam for a quick word in.
19:23Rahul, you know the core team of Rahul Gandhi as well.
19:26So what we've been given to believe is Rahul Gandhi is really not a big fan of D.K. Shivkumar,
19:33while it is Priyanka Gandhi and even Sonia Gandhi wanted to intervene on this and weigh in on saying give
19:38it to D.K. Shivkumar.
19:39Rahul Gandhi also thought that Siddharamaya represented the larger OBC umbrella that the Congress would be looking to pander towards
19:46going into 2029 elections and also the 28 elections.
19:50What made Rahul Gandhi pivot?
19:57Well, Priti, if you look at the two decisions that were made by Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala,
20:03it seemed that Rahul Gandhi is looking beyond personal equations or personal likings.
20:07We all know that KC Benukupal is extremely close to Rahul Gandhi,
20:10but he still chose VD Satishan as he thought that it's going to be more beneficial for the party.
20:15He's also very fond of Stalin, but at the same time, he thought about, you know, party's future in Tamil
20:20Nadu where it has been out of power for 59 years.
20:24I mean, no power sharing.
20:26So, and this time also, we all know that Rahul Gandhi, you know, likes Siddharamaya if you want to really
20:31compare the two leaders.
20:33But again, they want to win.
20:35Party thinks that they have better prospects if they're going to elevate, you know, D.K. Shivkumar for 2028.
20:41Remember, back in 2013, when Siddharamaya was appointed chief minister, he was not able to make comeback.
20:48And therefore, all these things, then again, obviously, he's a resourceful guy, strong man, organization, you know, person.
20:55So, all these things actually worked in the favor.
20:57And on top of that, Siddharamaya himself said that this is my last election, you know, when he was appointed
21:04as the chief minister back in 2023.
21:06So, clearly, all these things actually worked in the favor of D.K. Shivkumar.
21:10And therefore, party thought of future, that we have to win the state again, 2028, 29 Lok Sabah poll, extremely
21:17crucial for Rahul Gandhi.
21:18So, all these things actually worked in favor of D.K. Shivkumar.
21:23And one thing also, remember, we've been hearing about cabinet reshuffle for many days.
21:28But it never happened.
21:30And now it is pretty clear that why it never happened, because D.K. Shivkumar was insisting that there should
21:34not be a cabinet reshuffle.
21:36And unless there is clarity.
21:38Fair point.
21:38Because had there been a cabinet reshuffle under the leadership of Siddharamaya, it would have been a blessing for him.
21:43And would have been an endorsement for his candidature, for his CM tenure for the remaining period.
21:48But that didn't happen.
21:49So, clearly, all these things worked in favor of, and age is certainly not on side of Siddharamaya.
21:55Fair point. Fair point.
21:56Stay with me, Rahul.
21:57Rahul, Moshmi and Naga Arjun Dwarkhanath are three ace political reporters who have broken the news first right here on
22:05the network.
22:06Continue to stay with me.
22:07Feel free to wheel in on any of the questions that you would like to.
22:10I want to just quickly cut across to Javed Ansari, as well as Sanjay Shastri, both political analysts joining us
22:16at this time.
22:16Javed Ansari, you know, there's something going on with the Congress, which is not the usual.
22:22One would have thought status quo would have been the perfect solution where the Congress comes into question.
22:27Like Rahul said, for the Congress, not making a decision has been a decision in the long time, at least
22:32with what we've seen.
22:33Last three decisions, be it Tamil Nadu, be it Kerala and now Karnataka, have been very, very different from the
22:39core character of the party.
22:43So, Preeti, you can begin by at least giving Congress credit for once.
22:47Second, I think their hand has been strengthened by the resounding victory in Kerala and by the belated but wise
22:56decision of tying up with Vijay.
22:58They do believe that they have some momentum going and therefore this is the time to act.
23:03Also, there are two questions.
23:06There is the, in addition to honoring a promise made to Mr. D.K. Shethkumar at the time of, when
23:15the Congress came to power in Karnataka,
23:17there is also the question of deciding on who will be the party's face when going to, going ahead in
23:24the 2028 assembly elections.
23:26Mr. Siddhar Ramayya, do not forget, will be 80.
23:29His government, and he appears to be losing steam, he, you know, his better days are behind him, a lot
23:36of people will believe.
23:38And therefore, they believe that somebody with fresh and with bigger and with greater energy and a fresher face would
23:46be,
23:47the Congress party would be better off if somebody new helmed the government and helmed the challenge in 2028,
23:58rather than somebody like Mr. Siddhar Ramayya, who's had his innings and who now appears to be losing steam.
24:05All right, let's bring in Sanjay Shastri into this conversation.
24:10Sanjay Shastri, what does this mean for Karnataka right now?
24:13Because there was a reason, like Rahul Gautam also stated, that the cabinet reshuffle hadn't happened because D.K. Shethkumar
24:20had dug in his heels.
24:21Now, you will have clamor, at least from the Siddhar Ramayya camp, to accommodate a lot of his ministers in
24:27the cabinet.
24:27Then you'll have team D.K. Shethkumar do the same.
24:30What does this mean for Karnataka?
24:33Preeti, I think once this decision is taken in the next few weeks, I think one of the challenges for
24:40the Congress is going to be to deal with some of the fallout of whatever decision is taken.
24:47Now, we need to keep in mind the fact that Siddhar Ramayya was having significant support amongst the party and
24:54amongst the MLAs.
24:55So, the first step in Karnataka post the decision, if it does, again, if what's reported is true, then is
25:03how does the Congress ensure that, you know, the Siddhar Ramayya loyalists are actually also sort of accommodated.
25:12So, some sort of, you know, give and take will have to take place within, you know, maybe in terms
25:19of cabinet births.
25:20Those are things that will have to be discussed.
25:24And I think at a larger level, this is sort of a handing of the guard also from Siddhar Ramayya
25:31to D.K. Shethkumar with, we are more likely to see D.K. Shethkumar being the one who's really steering
25:37the ship when it comes to the 2028 election.
25:39So, at one level, at an immediate issue is how do you deal with the fallout of the decisions and
25:47how do you really accommodate the MLAs who are loyal to Siddhar Ramayya.
25:51And in the longer term, it's sort of the handing of the guard with the Congress clearly deciding that it's
25:57D.K. Shethkumar who's the captain of the ship taking the party into the 2028 polls.
26:02Of course, all these are with the caveat that what's being reported is true.
26:07Well, it's seemingly, you know, I think our political team will put their money down on it.
26:11We'll cut across to them because Boshmi, Rahul and Naga both have been reporting this and fervently at that, saying
26:19that their sources have clearly confirmed the same.
26:21But I want to cut across to Rajdeep Sardasai, who also believes this is exactly what has happened.
26:26Rajdeep Sardasai, consulting editor, joining me right now.
26:29Rajdeep, what do you make of the latest developments?
26:31Siddhar Ramayya now will need to step down.
26:34Rahul Gandhi personally has asked him to take a larger role in Delhi, take the Rajya Sabha route.
26:39He hasn't confirmed anything on that front, but he has confirmed, you know, to, you know, our sources close to
26:46him.
26:47And as Naga says, he's got it from the horse's mouth that he will step down because Rahul Gandhi has
26:51asked him to step down as chief minister.
26:54Do you think it will all go down smoothly from here on and it will be a smooth takeover for
26:59D.K. Shiv Kumar as chief minister?
27:03Well, thanks very much, Preeti.
27:05Yes, reports do suggest that the Congress High Command has asked Mr. Siddhar Ramayya to step aside as Karnataka chief
27:15minister.
27:16But remember, none of this is on record at the moment.
27:19More significantly, what we are told is Mr. Siddhar Ramayya has refused to give a clear cut answer on the
27:27on the issue of actually stepping down as Karnataka chief minister.
27:32He's 78 and he knows that this could be the end of the road.
27:36The party leadership wants him to come to Delhi, become a Rajya Sabha member when next month elections are held
27:41for Karnataka and play a greater role as an OBC leader ahead of 2029.
27:46Now, Mr. Siddhar Ramayya, right through his political career, his self-image is that of a regional satra.
27:54Someone far more comfortable in Bengaluru, Mysore, than he would be in Delhi.
27:58So, he isn't giving a clear answer yet.
28:01And that, in a sense, reflects the predicament that the Congress High Command has faced in Karnataka for the last
28:08one year.
28:09D.K. Shivkumar chafing at the bit, wanting to become chief minister, claiming there is a rotational chief ministership of
28:16two and a half years each.
28:18But Siddhar Ramayya still is being seen as a mass leader, as someone who has the support of a number
28:23of influential legislators.
28:26And therefore, the Congress has found itself in a bind.
28:30Yes, a number of Congress leaders now feel that Siddhar Ramayya's time could be up, that they cannot win 2028
28:38with him as their chief minister.
28:40They may not be able to win that even with D.K. Shivkumar as chief minister.
28:43But at least D.K. Shivkumar perhaps represents some kind of a generational change of the kind that we saw
28:49in Kerala also when V.D. Satishan was made chief minister.
28:54And D.K. Shivkumar, all said and done, is resourceful, is a sharp organizer and will do whatever it takes
29:01to try and revive the Congress ahead of the 2028 elections.
29:05So the Congress is caught in a bit of a bind, particularly because also Rahul Gandhi has made OBC politics
29:11one of his calling cards.
29:13Siddhar Ramayya remains the only OBC chief minister that the Congress has at the moment.
29:18So it won't be easy to ease out Mr. Siddhar Ramayya at the moment, but the signal has been sent.
29:27And now Mr. Siddhar Ramayya has about 10 days to take a call as to how far he's willing to
29:36go to accept the party leadership's position.
29:40It is possible, therefore, that you could have a leadership change in Karnataka in June.
29:46But in the Congress party, it's never done until it's done.
29:49So we'll have to wait and see what kind of deal or what kind of arrangement is eventually worked out.
29:56But this entire episode over the last one year hasn't done the Congress any credit.
30:01It's affected their governance credentials, administration has suffered and time is running out.
30:08So I think finally the Congress has decided to bite the bullet.
30:12Whether Mr. Siddhar Ramayya is going to accept that bullet remains the big question.
30:16Well, the Congress is biting the bullet off late, Rajdeep.
30:19And for someone who's watched the Congress closely in terms of just the recent decisions,
30:24I'm not saying give, you know, you have Javed Ansari who's with us and I'll go back to him.
30:28He says give Congress some credit.
30:29They're actually making very quick decisions and smart decisions off late.
30:33But if you go by the three decisions, political decisions that have come from the party, Rajdeep,
30:38quickly break an alliance with the DMK, go with the TVK.
30:42It happened within 48 hours.
30:43The old Congress would have never done so.
30:45Then picking someone which possibly the high command didn't quite want to be, you know,
30:51in place as chief minister of Kerala, going by the natural sentiment on ground,
30:56installing BD Satishan as chief minister there.
30:59Another unusual decision by the party.
31:03And now where till late night yesterday everyone thought it would be status quo.
31:07No, it's not status quo.
31:08Siddhar Ramayya has been asked to step down.
31:13Well, Preeti, you know, I still believe in the Congress, particularly under Rahul Gandhi.
31:20The party has been very cautious before taking major decisions.
31:24And sometimes not taking a decision is seen as a good decision.
31:27Yes, the Congress finally decided to go with Vijay and accept what the Tamil Nadu Congress
31:33wanted even before the election.
31:35But remember, all of this happened post-elections.
31:37They eventually ditched the DMK post-elections.
31:42Again, in Kerala, the Congress went along with popular opinion on the ground
31:48that BD Satishan should be made chief minister.
31:51I think you'll have to give the Congress high command some credit that it is willing to listen
31:56to voices from the ground.
31:58In that sense, perhaps because it's so weakened, it's also more democratic.
32:03I've always believed that when the high command is powerful,
32:06it becomes more dictatorial.
32:08We saw that when Indira Gandhi was in charge in the Congress.
32:11And you see it to a large extent with Narendra Modi in the BJP,
32:15where Amit Shah and Narendra Modi can virtually handpick any individual as chief minister of the BJP.
32:21And there will be no dissent because everyone fears speaking out.
32:24In the Congress, on the other hand, you have to call the chief minister aspirants to Delhi,
32:29try and convince them as to who will be the chief minister.
32:33We saw this play out over 10 to 11 days in Kerala.
32:36It's played out over the last year in Karnataka.
32:40So it reflects in a way the weakness of the Congress high command,
32:44but also to some extent the strength that this is a Congress high command willing to listen to various groups.
32:50The question is, after you listen, do you go back to the status quo or do you effect change?
32:55Certainly in Tamil Nadu, they went and bit the bullet with Vijay.
32:59They bit the bullet with Satishan.
33:01Will they now bite the bullet in Karnataka and ease out a popular leader like Siddharamaya,
33:06aging but popular, and replace him with Mr. Shiv Kumar,
33:10who is resourceful, an organizer, but may not have the same kind of mass appeal that a Siddharamaya has.
33:16So I think the Congress finds itself caught at times between a rock and a hard place when it takes
33:22such decisions.
33:23But I do believe that the process is at least far more consultative than it was in a previous era.
33:32All right, Rajdeep, thank you there.
33:34I know you have to go back to your show, so we're going to leave it at that.
33:37You can watch Rajdeep at 9 p.m. discussing Karnataka.
33:39Lots going on where Karnataka is concerned.
33:42Let's cut across back to our set of guests.
33:43Do we still have our reporters on ground if we have Moshmi and Rahul Gautam?
33:48I'd like to cut across to them first.
33:49Both have been with us, getting us the latest.
33:52Moshmi, what could go wrong?
33:54Because Rajdeep says anything can go wrong.
33:57You have a Siddharamaya who might dig in his heels.
34:00He's not happy coming to Delhi.
34:02And he's been pretty much told that you have to step down.
34:05If he just remains an MLA in his final two years of the term,
34:09then it doesn't really look good in terms of optics for the Congress.
34:12So the Congress also now in a hard spot because what if Siddharamaya refuses?
34:18The Rajya Sabharut decides to stay back.
34:20And there is resentment which festers, which won't remain just with Siddharamaya.
34:25Also, a huge set of MLAs who pledge allegiance to him.
34:34Absolutely, Preeti.
34:35You know, remember that breakfast picture where he's seated in the centre at the head of the table
34:40with all the ministers in the morning at Karnataka Bhavan.
34:44And clearly that could also be a message to the party leadership.
34:51Now, Siddharamaya buying some time, in fact, to reflect.
34:55If he had a clear-cut answer, he could have just said a yes or a no.
35:00Because remember, Siddharamaya has time and again reiterated that if Rahul Gandhi asks him to step down
35:06or whatever Rahul Gandhi says, Siddharamaya will do.
35:09So clearly there was no clear-cut answer and that spells a bit of a trouble for the party leadership.
35:17Because considering the following that Siddharamaya has, the support he has of the MLAs,
35:22anything could happen.
35:24And that's why, you know, I agree with Rajdeep when he says that in politics,
35:28if we consider it done only when it's done.
35:32And, you know, one hour in politics is a long time.
35:34So, and I remember the tussles that Karnataka has seen over the leadership issue in the past as well.
35:41So, we will have to wait and see how Siddharamaya really responds.
35:45Also, I think that perhaps this is not the same last 2019.
35:47Washmi has been waiting and watching.
35:48Washmi, I'm sorry, I'm cutting you short.
35:50I just want to quickly bring in our other two guests.
35:51Apologies there.
35:53Rahul Gautam, 20 seconds you have.
35:5520 seconds to encapsulate on what we can expect in the next 48 hours.
36:04Well, they are saying, we'll cross the bridge when it comes.
36:07So, therefore, the first step was to get Siddharamaya removed from the Chief Minister post.
36:12And then they would have to appoint another one.
36:14So, at least there is a clarity on this part that Siddharamaya has been asked to step down.
36:19Now, the quest for another CM will begin.
36:21Will we hear it officially in the next 48 hours, Rahul?
36:23In a day or two, we'll be given.
36:28Well, we can expect.
36:29The decision to be made or public in next 48 hours.
36:32Official decision will be made where Siddharamaya steps down and D.K. Shivkumar takes over.
36:38The fallout of that, whether Siddharamaya is happy or not, what's the trajectory later will be decided then.
36:45But Javed Ansari, final submission, sir.
36:49I think the Congress will have to ensure that, you know, Siddharamaya doesn't do an Ashok Geroen.
36:56Where Siddharamaya may decide to step down but then try and stymie the chances of Mr. D.K. Shivkumar taking
37:05over.
37:05He would want to quit in favour of somebody of his choice.
37:09So, the big task before the Congress leadership is to enjoy us, is to ensure a smooth transition and then
37:16ensure that Mr. D.K. Shivkumar takes over as Chief Minister.
37:20Sanjay Shastri, could Siddharamaya pull Ashok Geroen, like Javed Ansari just stated?
37:28And if he does, then what?
37:31I mean, that's going to be a challenge for the Congress.
37:36Personally, I don't see that happening given, A, the kind of support that D.K. Shivkumar has within the party.
37:45Also, the fact, you know, that, you know, the kind of...
37:50Okay, so you don't see that happening right now?
37:52Personally, I don't see that happening, but it's going to be a challenge, as I would echo what Ansari, sir,
37:57said,
37:57that it's going to be a challenge for the Congress in the next 48 hours to actually...
38:00All right, we know only in the next 48 hours, how it all pans out, but I appreciate all of
38:04you for joining us.
38:05Javed Ansari, thank you there.
38:07And all our guests, our reporters on ground, who have been breaking the news first right here.
38:11Thank you, Moshmi. Thank you, Rahul.
38:13A quick break.
38:14Dramatic developments in Delhi.
38:16The repercussions, of course, in Karnataka for the Congress.
38:19A quick break.
38:19Rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim has once again been granted parole, this time for 30 days,
38:26marking his 16th release since his 2017 conviction in a rape case.
38:31Despite convictions in heinous crimes, Ram Rahim once again continues to enjoy extraordinary freedom.
38:39From jail to Dera, he was seen moving in a car convoy, seated in a Land Cruiser, escorted by police
38:44vehicles.
38:45Repeated paroles to Ram Rahim have raised serious questions about our system.
38:50Here's the full report.
38:53Say, everybody!
38:56Our central, you are the love chaser!
39:02A murderer, a rapist and a self-proclaimed god-man, out again on vacation.
39:09Gurmeet Ram Rahim has been granted a 30-day parole, his 16th release since his conviction in 2017,
39:17and the second in less than five months.
39:20Earlier this year, on January 5, he was granted 40 days of parole.
39:26Despite convictions in heinous cases, Ram Rahim continues to enjoy extraordinary freedom.
39:32From jail to Dera, he was seen moving in a nine-car convoy, seated in a Land Cruiser, escorted by
39:39police vehicles.
39:46When questioned over repeated paroles, Haryana police passed the buck to the prison department.
39:55Meanwhile, the Akali does slam to BJP and AAP over VIP treatment being extended to Ram Rahim.
40:00The Akali has been granted a lot of people, and the U.S.
40:29Ram Rahim has been lodged in Sonaria jail since 2017 after being convicted in rape cases involving
40:36two women disciples. He is serving a 20-year sentence including two 10-year terms and life
40:43imprisonment in the journalist Ram Chandra Chhatrapati murder case. Despite multiple
40:50convictions, questions persist over how political proximity across parties continues to translate
40:57into repeated relaxations and privileges. In total, he has been out on parole 16 times,
41:04spending over 394 days outside jail. A convict repeatedly walking in and out of prison
41:12raises a basic question. Is justice being served or negotiated? Bureau Report, India Today.
41:24Alright viewers, this is a special story, India Today's special focus which will be a part of
41:29to the point from here on. This time, this ground report coming in from Rajasthan, where one sees
41:36universities without students, campuses without classrooms, and crores of taxpayers' money
41:42allegedly spent on institutions that largely exist only on paper. India Today's investigation
41:49uncovered shocking details from Rajasthan's so-called paper universities, where grand promises have
41:55reportedly turned into completely empty offices.
42:06Welcome to Rajasthan's paper universities. Inside Jaipur, Siksha Sankul, sign votes point towards
42:16prestigious sounding institutions including the Baba Amtet Divyang University.
42:26But walk into the Vice Chancellor's office. And you find empty rooms, running AC's,
42:35deserted corridors and barely any staff. No students, no academic activity. Yet, the university exists, on paper.
42:44The man heading this university is also heading another one next door to the Vishwakarmaskil University.
42:52One Vice Chancellor, two universities, almost no functioning system. When confronted,
42:59Vice Chancellor Dr. Dev Swaroop had little to say.
43:17Off camera, he pleaded, I'm retiring soon. Don't ruin my last days.
43:23The Baba Amtet Divyang University was launched with grand promises, projected as India's biggest
43:30university for differently abled students. But years later, all that exists are a few rooms,
43:37a handful of employees and crores spent without results. Over 3000 crores allegedly spent on salaries,
43:45vehicles, housing, furniture and refreshments. But not a single enrolled student. And this isn't an isolated
43:54case. The Vishwakarmaskil University was launched back in 2008 with promises of Singapore-style skill
44:01education still exists largely on paper. 138 proposed courses, massive announcements. But nearly two decades
44:10later, barely any real infrastructure. Then there is the Shekhawati Sports University announced,
44:18inaugurated, Vice-Chancellors appointed. Blueprints made and eventually shut down before it truly began.
44:25Even Rajasthan Governer, Hari Bhavagadeh, publicly admitted his shock.
44:31.
44:31I have no idea that for two or three years, there is no name.
44:37Who is it?
44:39One of the people.
44:42And the government has two people who have paid money, one of the people who have paid
44:45money, one of the people.
44:49That's just so much.
44:51What do you do for three years?
44:53There is no name.
44:55There is no doubt.
44:57What will we do?
45:00These universities were meant to build futures.
45:04Instead, many became monuments of political announcements, bureaucratic apathy and unchecked spending.
45:11In Rajasthan, campuses existed without classrooms, university existed without students and education existed only on government files.
45:22Visharath Kumar in Jaipur, Bureau Report, India Today.
45:29All right, viewers, with that, it's a wrap-up to the point.
45:31We'll see you tomorrow.
Comments