When Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a cabinet reshuffle, one name that featured in the list had surprised many: long-time friend and superstar MH Ambareesh.

Siddharamaiah’s decision to sack Ambareesh was called ‘sudden’ and ‘surprising’, but sources close to the Chief Minister say that Siddaramaiah had simply been waiting for the right time.

“Ambareesh is no longer a powerful mass leader in Mandya. The CM knew that there would not be huge protests on Ambareesh’s behalf. As a minister, Ambareesh was a liability for the CM, but he could not sack him earlier as there could have been repercussions. But things have changed now and Ambareesh is on a weak wicket,” says a confidante of the Chief Minister.

It was not just Ambareesh’s lack of mass appeal that made Siddaramaiah take the shrewd decision. “There are no local elections scheduled for some time and assembly polls are two years away. The CM knows that those who support Ambareesh now will forget the episode by next elections,” said the source.

The Siddaramaiah camp also staunchly believes that Ambareesh is not in a position to win an election even in Mandya if he chooses to contest in 2018.

In a bid to offset Vokkaliga ego both within the party and outside, the Congress is likely to make DK Shivakumar – often called the Congress’ Amit Shah – the Congress state president.

“DK Shivakumar is a strategist and a canny politician. He will help the chief minister win over people and calm nerves,” says a Congress leader.