Karnataka: D.K. Shivakumar in crucial panel, Siddu upset

Bengaluru: All India Congress Committee (AICC) chairperson, Sonia Gandhi has constituted the co-ordination committee for Karnataka. Headed by AICC general secretary, Digvijay Singh, the committee will discuss and formulate major policies and programmes for the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah. Interestingly, one of the senior Congress leaders, D.K. Shivakumar, who could not make it to the cabinet, has been accommodated in this committee. Shivakumar was nominated from the party while home minister K.J. George was recommended by Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah. Both were appointed as members of the co-ordination committee. Besides Siddaramaiah and KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwar, AICC secretary in-charge for Karnataka, Dr A. Chella Kumar are the other members of the committee. As per the Congress tradition, co-ordination committees are constituted in states which elect the party to power. \"The co-ordination committee is not new in our party. Wherever, we are in power, the AICC constitutes such committees. And I would like to make it amply clear here that I and Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah have no differences on this issue,\" Dr Parameshwar said. Sources in the government said that Siddaramaiah tried very hard to stall the nomination of Shivakumar and any of his colleagues to the coordination committee as he felt, it would lead to dissidence. Siddaramaiah reportedly felt he need not discuss policy matters with juniors and give clarifications to them. So, he wanted the central leadership to include, if need be, any of the ministers from the state instead of Shivakumar. However, the central leadership rejected his proposal.