It's a classic case of 'Siddaramaiah Hatao', claims BJP leader Narayanaswamy
Calling it a 'classic case of Siddaramaiah Hatao", Narayanaswamy alleged that Siddaramaiah is being diplomatically sidelined under the pretext of national responsibilities.
Speaking to reporters, Narayanaswamy pointed to Siddaramaiah's recent appointment as Chairman of the OBC Department in the All India Congress Committee (AICC), as a move designed to remove him from the state's political forefront without open confrontation.
'The moment he was made the OBC committee president, discussions began within Congress circles that he might be sent to national politics. Even Congress insiders are talking about it,' he told reporters in a press conference.
Narayanaswamy argued that this is not the first time Congress has deployed such tactics. 'We saw how Mallikarjun Kharge was sidelined in a similar way when he wanted to become Chief Minister. He was sent to Delhi and given a symbolic position. When the Congress loses power, they don't look for a Dalit face—they look for who is loyal to the Gandhi family,' he stated.
He warned that the move to shift Siddaramaiah out is cautious and calculated to avoid backlash. 'If Siddaramaiah is even slightly hurt, Congress will sink in Karnataka. So they are handling it softly. They say he will 'organise backward classes' nationally, but in reality, they are trying to remove him from state politics.'
'This is not empowerment, it's displacement. What real power lies in that position? He is not going to become Prime Minister or a central minister,' Narayanaswamy said, describing the national role as largely ornamental.
He added that the only political benefit might go to Siddaramaiah's son. 'At most, his son may be made a minister. For Siddaramaiah himself, it's the end of the road. Some even say he'll be made a Rajya Sabha MP, but that's not power, it's political retirement,' he remarked.
Narayanaswamy concluded by accusing the Congress of systematically removing strong regional leaders to centralise control. 'When they're in power, they are ignored. Once they lose power, loyalists are rewarded. That's the Congress model—and now Siddaramaiah is facing the same fate.'
The BJP leader's statement has added fuel to speculation of internal power struggles within Congress and raised new questions about Siddaramaiah's future both in Karnataka and at the national level.
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