Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar
Congress state president BK Hariprasad confirmed the committee would be formed soon.
Shivakumar himself is said to have been opposed to the formation of such a panel. However, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara Sunday said the committee would be “consultative, not authoritative”, with the final decision resting with the chief minister. “All members of the panel will express their opinions,” Parameshwara said. The deputy chief minister told reporters the committee would facilitate collective deliberations on important political and policy matters rather than leave decisions to a single individual. Dismissing concerns that the panel could become an alternative centre of authority, he said it would not interfere in day-to-day administration but would deliberate on major policy decisions and political matters and offer recommendations. “The committee is not something new and has been formed across all states by Congress party,” Hariprasad said. “The political affairs committee is required to discuss major policy and party decisions; the govt is part of the party.”
Bengaluru: Congress party is set to constitute a political affairs committee in Karnataka amid concerns that it could emerge as a parallel power centre to chief minister DK Shivakumar . “If the CM finds their suggestions appropriate, he may accept them. If he does not agree with certain suggestions, he is free to reject them. Subsequently, the CM may consult the high command before taking further decisions. It will include the CM, KPCC president, former CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah and Veerappa Moily, and senior Congress functionaries, among others.