Sunil Bose Defends Family Amid Political Speculations in Karnataka Congress

Bengaluru, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Senior Congress leader Sunil Bose recently addressed growing concerns about his father, H.C. Mahadevappa, following D.K. Shivakumar’s appointment as Chief Minister of Karnataka. Speculation has arisen that Mahadevappa, a former minister, is being marginalized within the party.

Bose emphasized that the Congress party has treated their family with respect and has provided Mahadevappa with opportunities to serve as a minister. “The party has not betrayed us nor treated us unjustly,” he stated, affirming that his father has received due recognition within the party.

He also made it clear that their family remains committed to Congress and will continue to contest elections under its banner. “We will stay with the Congress party and fight elections in the future under its name,” he declared.

Despite this, Bose hinted at potential shifts among other party leaders contemplating a change in allegiance before the 2027 elections. He noted that some may decide to switch parties as the election approaches.

Mahadevappa, a prominent leader from the Dalit community and a close ally of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, had previously supported Siddaramaiah’s continuation as Chief Minister. He advocated for considering a Dalit leader for the role if a leadership change were to occur.

However, following Shivakumar’s rise to Chief Minister, there are rising concerns about Mahadevappa’s increasing dissatisfaction with the party leadership, particularly after he was not included in the cabinet. Speculation suggests that Siddaramaiah may have prioritized securing a key ministerial position for his son, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, over advocating for Mahadevappa’s inclusion.

Recently, Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah and senior minister K.H. Muniyappa met with Mahadevappa at his residence, further fueling political speculation regarding his future.

Bose’s remarks come at a time when discussions about Mahadevappa’s political trajectory are intensifying. This debate gained momentum as Mahadevappa planned a conference with Dalit organizations at Maharaja College Grounds, coinciding with a significant event organized by the state government led by Siddaramaiah and Yathindra on November 26 in Mysuru.

Mahadevappa dismissed claims of any ‘prestige issue’ or conflict between the government and independent organizations, stating that both share the same goal of promoting constitutional values. He expressed his willingness to participate in various events, including the Karnataka government’s large-scale celebration of Constitution Day on November 26, while also supporting the rights of independent social and Dalit organizations to hold their own events.