Co-op Apex Bank Polls: CM, DyCM Factions Gear Up for Showdown

Image Source: Internet

The Karnataka State Cooperative Apex Bank Limited's elections for the board of directors have taken a dramatic turn with the entry of Congress legislator S Ravi, brother-in-law of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Ravi's nomination has sparked speculations of a power tussle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah's aide KN Rajanna, a former state minister, has also filed his nomination papers. Rajanna has led the board twice earlier and has the backing of the chief minister. However, sources indicate that Shivakumar may still have a chance to pull off a surprise, given his reputation for election management. The Apex Bank has 21 directors, and the president will be elected based on majority votes. Due to legal hurdles, Kolar and Bagalkote districts will not be represented in the new composition. The Congress party currently has the support of 16 out of 19 remaining directors. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on January 17, and the election to the president's post will take place a fortnight after that. Sources close to the Congress party claim that the composition of nominations suggests a clear division between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar's camps. Ravi has stated that he was assured by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala that he would be made the president after Belli Prakash's term ends. However, Rajanna has emerged as the chief minister's choice for the post, following demands from Shivakumar's faction for a power-sharing agreement. The polls come at a time when the state government is approaching its halfway mark, and the internal leadership crisis in the state has intensified. The Congress party's internal dynamics will be closely watched as the elections unfold.