Bengaluru: After failing to come to a consensus on who will be the next Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, the party’s state leaders have left the decision up to the high command.

According to a report by the Economic Times, Congress troubleshooter and Vokkaliga strongman D K Shivakumar and Lingayat strongman M B Patil are now the top contenders for the post that is currently occupied by Dinesh Gundu Rao.

It can be recalled that, after the Congress’ pathetic performance in the recently concluded Assembly by-polls, Dinesh Gundu Rao (KPCC president) and Siddaramaiah (CLP leader) resigned from their posts. While the resignations have not yet been accepted by the party high command, they sent senior party leaders Bhakta Charan Das and Madhusudan Mistry to the state to consult with the state leaders and pick the new appointments.

DKShi, according to recent reports, has been lobbying for the post and even met with former chief minister Siddaramaiah to seek his support, it is well known that the latter is closer to M B Patil.

While DKShi’s supporters believe that his leadership will help rebuild the party in the state and pave the way for a comeback in the next Assembly elections, Patil’s supporters believe that as the party’s Ligayat face, he can make inroads into the BJP’s Lingayat strongholds.

The ET report states that Patil’s caste, financial strength and the backing of Siddaramaiah, whose opinions the high command usually does not dismiss, makes him look to be the most likely choice, according to many of the party’s state leaders.

Another major hurdle for DKShi is his ongoing tussle with the Enforcement Department. It can be recalled that he was in jail for around 50 days and was released in October of 2019. Recent reports suggest that he may face fresh trouble with the law enforcement agency as they recently summoned him to appear before them on January 14.

The high command is also in a fix when it comes to choosing the KPCC chief as they had promised DKShi that they would reward him for his loyalty to the party.

Soon after securing bail in October last year, DKShi met AICC interim-president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi, where the latter reportedly promised him that his loyalty would be properly rewarded and that he would be given an important position in the party.

Some reports suggest that while Sonia Gandhi intended to make DKShi either KPCC president, CLP leader or Congress Working Committee member, the latter was adamant about becoming the next KPCC chief.

After the team sent by the high command failed to reach a consensus on the new appointees, the high command gave the task to former KPCC president Dr G Parameshwara.

According to the ET, top party leaders from the state met at Dr GP’s residence as recently as last Saturday, to choose viable candidates. While sources have not specifically said that a consensus was reached during the meeting, they have said that the state leaders will abide by the decision of the high command.