A highly anticipated visit by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar to the national capital on Tuesday failed to produce any significant political developments. The key expectation of a meeting with senior party leader Rahul Gandhi did not materialize, as Gandhi is currently on a five-day visit to Germany.
Political Speculation Doused After Delhi Trip
The visit had generated considerable political interest across Karnataka, with intense speculation swirling about a potential change in the state's chief ministerial leadership. Supporters of both Shivakumar and current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were closely watching the outcome. However, Shivakumar downplayed the political nature of his trip when addressing reporters in Delhi.
"I have not come for any politics here; I have come just to meet Union ministers regarding our state, for irrigation and urban development," he stated. He further added that he did not wish to comment on other political issues not currently on the agenda.
This visit gains context from renewed talks about a rotational chief ministership in Karnataka. Discussions about a purported 2.5-year power-sharing agreement have resurfaced, especially since the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
Criticism of Central Schemes and Push for Infrastructure
Shivakumar used the platform to strongly criticize the central government's revised funding pattern for the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, the scheme formerly known as MNREGA. He argued that the new model, which requires states to contribute 40% of the funding, would render it unworkable.
"This is the beginning of the end. By changing Mahatma Gandhi's name, they wanted to kill the programme," he claimed. He asserted that no state government, including those ruled by the BJP, would be able to provide such a share, predicting the scheme's failure.
On the development front, Shivakumar met with Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar. He submitted formal requests urging the Centre to grant crucial clearances for two major infrastructure projects vital for Bengaluru and the region.
Key Infrastructure Projects Awaiting Nod
The primary focus was on securing approval for Phase III of the Bengaluru Metro, which plans to connect Hebbal to Sarjapur via a 36.6-kilometer corridor with 28 stations. Additionally, he sought central support for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) designed to link Bengaluru with neighboring states.
Shivakumar also followed up on the revised completion cost for the ongoing Metro Phase II. The project's cost for the 75-kilometer network has escalated significantly from the original Rs 26,405 crore to Rs 40,425 crore. The state government had approved this revised cost in June, citing delays, challenges in land acquisition, and necessary design changes as primary reasons. Approximately 21 kilometers of this phase are yet to become operational.
While the political meeting that many anticipated did not occur, Shivakumar's visit underscored the ongoing tensions within the state's power structure and highlighted pressing administrative and infrastructure issues requiring central cooperation. The absence of a discussion with the party's central leadership leaves the question of leadership dynamics in Karnataka unresolved for now.
