Bengaluru: Congress party is set to constitute a political affairs committee in Karnataka amid concerns that it could emerge as a parallel power centre to chief minister DK Shivakumar.Shivakumar himself is said to have been opposed to the formation of such a panel. However, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara Sunday said the committee would be “consultative, not authoritative”, with the final decision resting with the chief minister.“All members of the panel will express their opinions,” Parameshwara said. “If the CM finds their suggestions appropriate, he may accept them. If he does not agree with certain suggestions, he is free to reject them. Subsequently, the CM may consult the high command before taking further decisions.”The deputy chief minister told reporters the committee would facilitate collective deliberations on important political and policy matters rather than leave decisions to a single individual.Dismissing concerns that the panel could become an alternative centre of authority, he said it would not interfere in day-to-day administration but would deliberate on major policy decisions and political matters and offer recommendations.“There is absolutely no question of the committee becoming another power centre,” he said. “It is merely a platform for members to express their views.”Congress state president BK Hariprasad confirmed the committee would be formed soon. It will include the CM, KPCC president, former CLP leaders including Siddaramaiah and Veerappa Moily, and senior Congress functionaries, among others.“The committee is not something new and has been formed across all states by Congress party,” Hariprasad said. “The political affairs committee is required to discuss major policy and party decisions; the govt is part of the party.”Congress high command has already constituted political affairs committees in eight states, including Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand, where it is the governing party or part of a governing alliance.
