Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s statement that he was ready to give up the CM’s post for a Dalit candidate seems to be a political masterstroke. By making this statement, Siddaramaiah forced these two leaders to clarify that they did not want the top post just because they were Dalits. Having neutralised the BJP’s charges and checkmated his rivals, Siddaramaiah showed the High Command through his statement that he could not be taken for granted. Given the poor morale of party workers and MLAs of the Grand Old Party, this is a message that the High Command cannot afford to ignore. Siddaramaiah’s statement is all well and good, but he also knows that this election is a do or die battle for him.

Source: dna May 15, 2018 02:40 UTC