M B Patil, a senior Congress leader and Lingayat community leader, has expressed confidence in his prospects of becoming chief minister of Karnataka, despite the recent defections of former BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar and Laxman Savadi to the Congress party. Speaking to PTI, Patil stated that their entry would not threaten his position or diminish his chances of being selected as the next chief minister.
As the campaign committee chairman, Patil is also considered a strong contender for the post, alongside other frontrunners such as senior Congress leader Siddaramaih and KPCC chief D K Shivakumar. However, Patil has dismissed rumors of any internal strife within the Congress and defended the aspirations of his fellow party leaders to become chief minister.
The Lingayat community has a significant presence in Karnataka politics, and Patil’s standing as a senior leader within this community could give him an edge in the upcoming elections. However, he will face tough competition from other seasoned politicians within the Congress party, including Siddaramaih and Shivakumar.
Despite these challenges, Patil has remained optimistic about his chances and has been actively campaigning for the Congress party in the state. He has been highlighting the party’s achievements and criticizing the BJP’s handling of various issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent farmers’ protests.
The defections of Shettar and Savadi from the BJP to the Congress have been viewed as a significant coup for the Congress party in Karnataka. Both leaders are known for their strong political clout and could potentially help the Congress expand its base in the state.
However, it remains to be seen how their entry will impact the existing power dynamics within the party and whether it will affect the selection of the next chief minister. For now, Patil remains focused on his campaign and is working to secure support from various factions within the Congress party.
