Deputy Chief Minister says Shivakumar may have been consulted on PAC formation

Amid intense discussion within the Congress on having a collective leadership in the government and a need to have a Political Affairs Committee (PAC) that could deliberate on big issues, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara on Sunday indicated that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar may have been consulted before constituting it.

While Congress sources said the PAC is likely to be announced in the next few weeks since the Chief Minister has agreed to it, the demand from a section of party men to have a coordination committee between the party and the government has not been approved by the party's Central leadership. The PAC is part of the party's apparatus in all States, whether the Congress is in power or not, sources said. An Executive Committee in the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) comprising senior party leaders in the State is also in the offing, sources said.

On Sunday, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "The purpose of forming this committee is to facilitate collective discussions and decision-making on important matters rather than having decisions taken by one individual. In certain circumstances, it would be more appropriate for the Chief Minister to seek the views of committee members before arriving at major decisions."

He said that if the Chief Minister finds the suggestions appropriate, he may accept them. "If he does not agree with these suggestions, he is free to reject them, and subsequently he may consult the high command before arriving at a decision," he said.

Mr. Parameshwara allayed fears over the PAC becoming an alternative power centre, and said that it would be a mere platform for members to express their views. He said, "The committee will not interfere in day-to-day administrative affairs. Its role is to deliberate on major policy decisions and significant political matters and share its recommendations."

Surjewala to be replaced?

Meanwhile, it is being speculated that the Congress General Secretary in Charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, could be replaced in the coming weeks. Mr. Surjewala was recently appointed Congress General Secretary in Charge of Gujarat and is keeping Karnataka in Charge as an additional responsibility.

Party sources said that KPCC president B.K. Hariprasad and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah -- both of whom are believed to have a frosty relationship with Mr. Surjewala -- are learnt to have put pressure on the party high command to replace him. "On his part, Mr. Surjewala himself has sought to be relieved from his responsibilities in Karnataka," sources said.