Overview

• The Congress high command has instituted a 24-member OBC advisory council featuring four former state chiefs with Siddaramaiah designated as a member-host rather than chair.
• Siddaramaiah denied claims of being council chairman and said he only agreed to host its first meeting in Bengaluru on July 15 under Rahul Gandhi’s presidency.
• Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar are in New Delhi to consult central leaders including Rajnath Singh and C.R. Patil on council arrangements and proposed appointments to state boards.
• BJP officials allege Siddaramaiah’s inclusion is an ‘elevate-exit’ tactic aimed at moving him to national politics and clearing the way for a leadership change in Karnataka.
• Voices like Rambapuri seer Rajadeshikendra Shivacharya have called for honoring the reported rotational power-sharing pact that could see Shivakumar assume the chief ministership.