In a major reshuffle to the party’s organizational structure in Karnataka state, Congress party has appointed former chief minister Siddaramaiah as the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
The party also appointed SR Patil as the Leader of Opposition (LoP ) in the Legislative Council of the state. The news was confirmed by a press release issued by Shri K.C. Venugopal, General Secretary of the party.
The post of the Leader of Opposition was vacant for over two months that necessitated the latest appointments. Now the former chief minister of state, Siddaramaiah ceases to be a member of the Congress Working Committee which is the highest decision-making body of the Congress party.
Siddaramaiah tweeted a heartful message on his appointment, He thanked the party’s interim president Sonia Gandhi.
I am grateful to Hon. @INCIndia President Smt. Sonia Gandhiji for appointing me as Leader of Opposition of Ktaka Assembly & Leader of CLP. I am honoured by her faith in me. All @INCKarnataka leaders will work to strengthen the party in &expose the failures of @BJP4Karnataka govt.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 9, 2019
TIW’s Take-
It is expected that the new profile of Siddaramaiah will help him regain control over the party in the state. He will now be in a better position to corner down the BS Yeddyurappa government.
The rise of his stature through this appointment will certainly halt the internal struggle within the party. Previously, the collapse of HD Kumaraswamy-led Janata Dal-Secular-Congress had started a war within the coalition.