Mysuru: Three senior Congress leaders from Mysuru district who were denied ministerial berths have held a closed-door meeting, triggering fresh speculation about the emerging power equations within the party following the recent expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet.
Former ministers Dr H C Mahadevappa, K Venkatesh and Tanveer Sait, all considered close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, attended the meeting. Although the three leaders remained guarded about the details of their discussions, Sait described the gathering as a “beginning” and said they would raise the issue of alleged injustice with the party high command.
The development comes as the Congress leadership is attempting to manage dissent following the Cabinet expansion.
Three senior leaders hold meeting
The meeting involving Mahadevappa, K Venkatesh and Tanveer Sait has attracted attention because all three leaders were reportedly denied ministerial positions during the recent Cabinet expansion.
The closed-door discussions were held amid continuing speculation about dissatisfaction within sections of the ruling party. While the leaders did not disclose the details of their deliberations, their decision to come together has generated questions about whether they intend to collectively raise their concerns before the party leadership.
Sait indicated that the three leaders had discussed where they felt injustice had occurred and said they would approach the high command to seek an explanation.
“I will not say everything is fine in the party, nor will I say everything is not fine,” Sait said, signalling that there were concerns within the party without directly describing the meeting as an act of rebellion.
Tanveer Sait says leaders were treated unfairly
Sait was more direct while speaking about the treatment of the three leaders during the Cabinet expansion.
He said the trio had come together to discuss why and where they had been treated unfairly. According to him, they intend to raise the issue with the Congress high command.
Sait also refused to reveal what the group’s next political move would be. Instead, he described the meeting as a “beginning”, leaving open the possibility of further discussions or collective action.
He stressed that the three leaders did not need ministerial positions to demonstrate their political influence.
According to Sait, each of the three leaders enjoys support within their respective communities. He said their collective strength would be demonstrated at an appropriate time.
Sait also invoked the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari while speaking about their future course.
Mahadevappa remains guarded
Dr H C Mahadevappa, another prominent Siddaramaiah loyalist, maintained a cautious position on the discussions.
He confirmed that the three leaders had met but declined to provide details about their political plans.
Mahadevappa said they had discussed where things had gone wrong but indicated that he did not want to speak about politics at this stage.
His guarded response has added to speculation over whether the meeting was primarily aimed at discussing the denial of ministerial positions or whether the leaders were considering a broader strategy within the Congress organisation.
K Venkatesh also attended the meeting, though details of his views following the discussions were not immediately available.
Yathindra Siddaramaiah reaches venue
The meeting also drew the attention of Urban Development Minister Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who reached the venue during the discussions.
A source indicated that Yathindra attempted to pacify the leaders amid the growing speculation surrounding the meeting.
However, Yathindra later offered a different explanation for his interaction with the three senior leaders.
He said he had met them to seek their guidance as he is being made the district in-charge minister.
Yathindra’s explanation suggests that the interaction was also connected to his proposed responsibilities in the district, rather than solely being an effort to address any dissent.
Power equation under discussion
The developments have added another layer to the political discussions within the Mysuru Congress.
The three leaders have long-standing political influence in the district and are regarded as important figures within their respective constituencies and communities. Their decision to meet together after being denied ministerial berths has therefore attracted considerable attention.
Sait’s comments about the trio’s community support have further fuelled speculation about the political significance of the meeting.
At the same time, none of the three leaders has announced any decision to leave the Congress or take an immediate organisational or political step against the party leadership.
Their statements so far have centred on their claim of having been treated unfairly and their intention to communicate their concerns to the high command.
Congress faces challenge of managing dissent
The meeting comes at a politically sensitive time for the Congress government in Karnataka.
Cabinet expansions and reshuffles often create dissatisfaction among leaders who are left out, particularly when several senior legislators believe they have a strong claim to ministerial positions.
The Congress leadership will now have to ensure that the concerns of senior leaders in Mysuru do not develop into a larger challenge for the party’s internal unity.
The involvement of Yathindra Siddaramaiah, who is set to take on the role of district in-charge minister, also gives the development added significance. His interactions with senior leaders could become important as the party attempts to maintain coordination within the district.
‘A new beginning’
For now, the three leaders have kept their next move unclear.
Sait’s description of the meeting as a “beginning”, combined with his assertion that the leaders have independent community support, indicates that they intend to make their concerns known to the party leadership.
Mahadevappa’s statement that they had discussed where things went wrong also confirms that the meeting was not merely a routine gathering.
Whether the meeting develops into a coordinated political effort or remains an expression of dissatisfaction over the Cabinet expansion will become clearer after the leaders meet the Congress high command.
For the moment, the closed-door meeting has revived questions about the internal power equations within the Mysuru Congress at a time when the party leadership is working to contain dissent following the Cabinet expansion.