DK Shivakumar lobbies hard for KPCC chief post, but Patil has CM’s blessings

The race for Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president's post – which is said to be filled up in 15 days – is hotting up with many aspirants lobbying hard to take the crown. Prominent in the race are energy minister DK Shivakumar, Housing Board chairman Malikayya Guttedar, former minister KH Muniyappa and Information and Technology minister SR Patil.

Minister Shivakumar who is in Delhi to participate in the state energy ministers' conference has already met AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge KC Venugopal. The leaders discussed party affairs in the state including a change in the KPCC leadership. Shivakumar who is a strong contender for the post is waiting to have an appointment with Rahul Gandhi, reports Kannada Prabha.

But with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah backing minister SR Patil’s candidature for the post, it would be difficult for Shivakumar. But Shivakumar does not want to believe in that. “It is not right to say that Siddaramaiah is opposed to my candidature. CM has assigned some of the challenging tasks to me, and this clearly shows his confidence in me,” Shivakumar claims. Shivakumar who belongs to a dominant Vokkaliga community is confident that he has the blessings of all the ministers and even chief minister for the race.

Meanwhile, Afzalpur MLA and Karnataka Housing Board chairman Malikayya Guttedar too has expressed his willingness for the post. "I'm ready to take on the challenge," he told mediapersons in Bengaluru. Not just him, even former minister KH Muniyappa's name is also doing the rounds for the hot seat. His fans held a press conference demanding that their leader be made the president of KPCC.

Despite these many leaders in the race for the seat, the Congress high command is expected to choose between SR Patil and DK Shivakumar for the coveted post.  

• kpcc president's post
• dk shivakumar in race