New Delhi: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has conveyed to his party leadership that he does not favour outgoing Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha from the State.
Siddaramaiah told the central leaders including AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh about his reservation on pushing the case of an ‘outsider’ to the Upper House when the party was facing a political challenge after the Lok Sabha polls.
Siddaramaiah’s reservation on Chidambaram was on account of the sensitive nature of the state’s ties with Tamil Nadu on account of the Cauvery issue. In the event of a stand-off with Tamil Nadu on sharing of waters, Chidambaram’s nomination from Karnataka could become a political issue.
Karnataka in charge Congress General Secretary Digvijaya Singh had during his meeting with Siddaramaiah last week in Delhi broached the subject. The chief minister reportedly turned down the suggestion. KPCC president G Parameshwara was also present during the meeting.
While Singh did not give his views, Siddaramaiah is learnt to have said it is up to the high command to take a decision on whom to nominate from the party.
Chidambaram did not contest the just concluded Lok Sabha polls while his son Karti Chidambaram contested unsuccessfully from Sivaganga Lok Sabha seat.
Elections for four Rajya Sabha seats in Karnataka will be held on June 19.
The terms of four Karnataka Upper House members B K Hariprasad, former External Affairs Minister S M Krishna (both Congress), Prabhakar Kore and M Rama Jois (both BJP) ends on June 24.
On its own, Congress can win two seats. It is likely to re-nominate B K Hariprasad and Krishna.
