Let Shivakumar become CM after Siddaramaiah completes 5 yrs in office: Karnataka minister
Koppal (PTI): Rejecting speculation about "November revolution", Karnataka Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan on Sunday said, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar has the desire to become the chief minister, and his wish is that he takes over after Siddaramaiah completes five-year term in 2028.
There have been talks about the chief minister change in the state when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term in November, which is being referred to by some as the "November revolution".
"I have said there is no Kranti (revolution). Siddaramaiah will remain the chief minister till 2028," Khan, who is the Minister of Housing, told reporters here in response to a question.
Asked about Shivakumar's supporters shouting slogans that their leader will be the next CM, he said, "It is natural for his supporters to have such a desire. Shivakumar also has a desire to become the CM. Till 2028 Siddaramaiah will be the CM and after Siddaramaiah (Shivakumar will become)."
"He (Shivakumar) has also served and worked for the party. It is because of him and Siddaramaiah we (Congress) have 140 seats today (in the assembly).
"He (DKS) also has the desire to become the CM. We, too, wish that after Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar should become the CM. Till 2028 Siddaramaiah is CM, after that Shivakuamar," he added.
There have been talks within state's political circles, especially within the ruling Congress, for some time now about the chief minister change later this year, citing "power-sharing" agreement involving CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had recently said he would continue in office for the full five-year term, subject to the Congress high command's decision.
Minister Khan said speculation about a CM change later this month is being created by the BJP, and there is no such thing. It is their creation to cover up factional rifts within their party.
"Shivakumar is our party president. During Dasara, Siddaramaiah had said he will continue as CM for five years. Shivakumar had concurred with it, and recently ex-MP D K Suresh (Shivakumar's brother) had said that Siddaramaiah will lead the party in 2028," he said.
Noting that everyone would abide by the Congress high command's decision, Khan, however, said his desire was that Siddaramaiah should continue as CM till 2028. "The Chief Minister's chair is not vacant..."
Asked if the Cabinet shuffle was on the cards, he said it may happen and it would be decided by the high command.
There was stiff competition between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the chief minister's post after the declaration of Assembly election results in May 2023, and the Congress had managed to convince the latter and made him the Deputy CM.
There were some reports at the time that a compromise had been reached based on a "rotational chief minister formula," according to which Shivakumar will become CM after two-and-half years, but they have not been officially confirmed by the party.
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BJP to fight Assam polls on twin planks of development, secure state
Guwahati (PTI): In a bid to win the Assam Assembly elections for the third time in a row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday advised the state BJP brass to fight on twin planks: development and a secure state.
Shah, who wound up a two-day visit to Assam, held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with senior leaders of the BJP state unit at the party headquarters here, with a focus on discussing strategy for the state elections, expected in March-April.
Briefing reporters after the closed-door meeting, BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia said, "Development and a secure Assam will be our twin electoral planks."
He also said that Shah, known for his expertise in electoral politics, has offered valuable suggestions, and based on it, an action plan to retain power in the state will be formulated soon.
“Discussions were held in detail on our organisational and political calendars. Shah ji offered some very valuable suggestions, and we will implement those at the earliest…We will share more details on the action plan soon,” Saikia said.
He further said that the Union minister exhorted the state party leadership to ensure that not only do they secure a ‘massive landslide victory’ but also bag more seats than in the previous election.
The BJP currently leads a coalition government in Assam with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) has also extended support.
In the 126-member Assembly, the BJP now has 64 legislators, while its allies AGP, UPPL and BPF have nine, seven and three memnbers, respectively. In the opposition camp, the Congress’ strength is 26, while AIUDF has 15 members and CPI(M) one. There is an Independent legislator also, belonging to Raijor Dal.
Saikia said that the party will continue to contest the state polls in coalition with its NDA allies, which was also favoured by Shah.
Dismissing reports of chinks in the ruling coalition, the Lok Sabha MP said, “As far as the NDA is concerned, we are united in Assam. There could be discussions about some issues on individual party forums.”
The saffron party has maintained that its alliance with the regional parties will continue, and formalities like seat-sharing arrangements are being worked out.
Shah, who was on his second visit to the state within a month, attended two other events in Dibrugarh and Dheamji earlier in the day. He left for West Bengal after the meeting at the Guwahati state party headquarters.
