Siddaramaiah regains control over Karnataka Congress as party appoints him as opposition leader

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday thanked Congress President Sonia Gandhi for showing “faith” in him and appointing him as Leader of Opposition in the state assembly. “I am grateful to Hon. @INCIndia President Smt.Sonia Gandhiji for appointing me as Leader of Opposition of Ktaka Assembly & Leader of CLP. I am honoured by her faith in me. All @INCKarnataka leaders will work to strengthen the party in &expose the failures of @BJP4Karnataka govt,” Siddaramaiah tweeted.

In another tweet, he thanked Sonia and Rahul Gandhi for having given him the opportunity to work as member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC). The Congress on Wednesday appointed Siddaramaiah as Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly and ex-minister S R Patil in the Legislative Council.

Siddaramaiah now ceases to be a member of the CWC, the highest decision-making body of the party, it said in a release. The appointments come a day ahead of the winter session of the state legislature from Thursday. Race to the post of Leader of Opposition in the Assembly had gained momentum as factions had emerged within the party both in favour and opposing Siddaramaiah, who was seen as a key contender.