Brother D K Shivakumar can become CM if it's in his destiny: D K Suresh
Bengaluru (PTI): Former Congress MP D K Suresh on Saturday said his brother, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, could become Chief Minister "if it is in his destiny."
Speaking to reporters here, he said he has no information about a section of MLAs reportedly held meetings expressing support for Shivakumar's elevation.
Suresh downplayed speculation over leadership change and distanced himself from the ongoing discussions among legislators.
"As I said, if it is in my brother's destiny, it will happen. If it is not, then nothing can be done," Suresh said, responding to questions on whether Shivakumar would take over as chief minister.
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Some Congress MLAs, loyal to Shivakumar, on Friday night held a meeting in a hotel and reportedly discussed ways to see their leader rise to the post of the chief minister.
According to Congress sources, they also planned a visit to Delhi to impress upon the party high command to make Shivakumar the next chief minister.
When asked about such gatherings and whether legislators were pressing for a decision, Suresh said, "I have no information about that. You should ask the MLAs concerned." He added that he was not in town when the meeting took place.
"I was not in town. I have no information about it. So I do not know what decision they have taken or what statement they have given. That is their personal matter. The party should take note of it," he said.
Responding to claims that the number of MLAs backing Shivakumar had increased, Suresh said, "Nothing of that sort. I have no information about that."
On being asked whether any efforts were being made from within the government to elevate his brother, he replied, "I don't know anything about that. I am only watching what you are showing." Suresh also urged patience amid internal discussions.
"There should be patience in everything," he said, adding that "everyone has aspirations" and that there was "nothing wrong in that." He further clarified that he was not an aspirant for any position and said decisions regarding elections and leadership would be taken by the party leadership and the appropriate authorities.
The former MP also defended the state government's guarantee schemes when asked about criticism from some legislators.
"That guarantee is our promise. It is a promise made to the people of Karnataka. We must act according to that promise," he said, asserting that the commitments made to voters must be honoured for the full five-year term.
The power tussle flared up in the state since November 2025 when the Congress government crossed the halfway mark of two-and-a-half years.
There have been reports when Congress came to power, there was a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
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India's neighbours wanted to break up Assam but Modi govt shattered their dreams: Fadnavis
Dibrugarh/Jorhat (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed India's neighbours wanted to "break up" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest here earlier, but their "dreams were shattered" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.
Militancy has come to an end, and 92 per cent of the assurances made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he told a poll rally.
Fadnavis maintained that the BJP-led government in Assam has not only ensured the state's development but also protected its identity.
He accused the Congress of having neglected the state and the northeastern region by adopting a "step-motherly attitude" towards them, while Modi has put the region at the centre of development.
Addressing a rally in support of BJP's Dibrugarh candidate Prasanta Phukan, Fadnavis said, "Due to the unrest in the state earlier, neighbouring countries thought they would break Assam someday. But their dreams were shattered by Modi ji, and Assam is progressing fast today."
Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups to the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 per cent of the assurances made have been implemented.
"Work is on for implementing the remaining eight per cent of promises also," he added.
Highlighting the various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said special emphasis was being given on women's empowerment in line with the Centre's thrust on it.
"Women have benefited the most under Modiji's government. It will be 'Mahila raaj' from 2029 when 33 per cent reservation is implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.
Speaking at another rally in support of the BJP's Jorhat candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami earlier, the Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.
"People had to launch a movement against it, and scores were martyred. But the influx did not stop, and the state was burning. It was staring at a full demographic change."
"But the situation changed when Modi came to power. Infiltration has been stopped, and almost all militant groups in the state are returning to the mainstream," he claimed.
Fadnavis claimed that the state's demography would have changed and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.
"But the Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and tradition," he said.
He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.
Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "It is a gift of Modi ji to Assam. It will place the state on the global map."
He added that countries with the ability to manufacture semiconductors will be global leaders in the future, and India has joined the elite ranks of a handful of nations.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged it had always adopted a "step-motherly attitude" towards the northeast, due to which the region did not see much development, and was embroiled in unrest.
He also criticised the opposition party for its "anti-national stance" during the West Asia crisis, claiming it was trying to create discontentment among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.
"We had also been in the opposition, but we had never acted in such a shameful manner," he said.
Taking a dig at state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the opposition party's candidate in Jorhat, Fadnavis said, "Those in Lok Sabha should remain there. BJP will return to power, and he will have no work here."
Gogoi is also the opposition party's deputy leader in the Lok Sabha.
