Bengaluru, June 30 (IANS) Former Karnataka Minister K.N. Rajanna on Tuesday warned that sidelining former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would be a “major blunder” and asserted that the Congress can return to power in the 2028 Assembly elections only by carrying the veteran leader along, as internal dissent within the ruling party came to the forefront.

Responding to reports that Siddaramaiah was being sidelined within the party, Rajanna said there was an established protocol governing government programmes and any lapses should be dealt with through appropriate action.

Rajanna, considered a close associate of Siddaramaiah and who has openly challenged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on several occasions, has also advocated that a Dalit be made Chief Minister in the event of a leadership change in the state.

Rajanna had earlier held a press conference in New Delhi, where he said he was ready to take up the responsibility of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president. At the time, the post was held by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

“I have no intention of working under anyone’s shadow or joining another camp. Siddaramaiah cannot be sidelined. He is a mass leader. A leader who has earned the support of the people cannot simply be pushed aside. No one can keep him in the background,” he said.

The senior Congress leader warned that any attempt to build the party while distancing Siddaramaiah would prove politically damaging.

“If anyone thinks the party can be strengthened by sidelining Siddaramaiah or keeping him away, it will be a major blunder. Only if we carry Siddaramaiah along and take him into confidence will we have every opportunity to return to power in 2028,” Rajanna said.

Rajanna said he had no intention of functioning under anyone’s shadow or aligning himself with any particular camp within the party.

“Siddaramaiah is a mass leader. Under his leadership, the party came to power twice in the state. No one can snatch away Siddaramaiah’s popularity,” he underlined.

Meanwhile, Chikkaballapur Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday and briefed him about the incident that occurred during the Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations. JD(S) workers allegedly targeted MLA Pradeep Eshwar over his remarks against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. During the incident, some JD(S) workers allegedly hurled a slipper at him.

Pradeep Eshwar had earlier challenged Kumaraswamy, saying that the Union Minister “could not even touch a single strand of his hair.” Pradeep Eshwar became emotional and broke down while explaining that JD(S) and BJP workers had allegedly hurled slippers at him and abused both him and his family during the event.

Consoling the MLA, Siddaramaiah said such incidents were not uncommon in politics and advised him not to lose courage.

“Such incidents are common in politics. You have to face them. Do not lose heart. We are with you,” Siddaramaiah told him.

Siddaramaiah also spoke to Home Minister Priyank Kharge by phone and instructed him to ensure that an appropriate investigation into the incident was conducted. The former Chief Minister expressed concern that such an incident had occurred in the presence of the police, particularly given that the target was a ruling-party legislator.

He also called for action against the officer concerned.

Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah and former Minister Madhu Bangarappa were present during the meeting.

–IANS

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