Minister Satish Jarkiholi dismisses talk of 'November revolution', says Congress won't allow it
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Bengaluru (PTI): Playing down speculations about "November revolution" and major political changes in Karnataka, especially in the ruling Congress, state Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Monday said the party high command would not let any such upheaval to take place.
There have been speculations about a change in Chief Minister 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 "November revolution".
"I have said it many times, I'm not aware of it. It will be decided at the level of the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and party high command. I'm not aware of it, so I cannot say anything about it," Jarkiholi said responding to a question regarding the cabinet reshuffle and power sharing with leadership change.
Speaking to reporters here, the minister said, "I don't know anything about the November revolution. There is a party and there is high command, why will they let any revolution happen? They will not allow it."
When pointed out that many leaders in the party, including his friend K N Rajanna repeatedly predicting political changes in November, he said, "let's wait and see, only a few more days are left."
The state's political circles have been abuzz with speculation about a possible power-sharing arrangement between incumbent CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar.
The statement made by Siddaramaiah's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah last week that his father was at the fag end of his political life and Satish Jarkiholi is a leader with similar progressive ideological thinking, had lead to speculations.
Downplaying Yathindra's remark, Jarkiholi said he has spoken about leading the AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) movement (championed by Siddaramaiah), which is separate from the party and the government.
"It has nothing to do with this (CM change)....I have not asked for CM post or party (President) post and he (Yathindra) too did not speak about CM or party president post," he said.
Asked whether he would stake claim for the CM's post in 2028, he said, "let's see when the time comes. Election has to happen and depending on the situation, a decision will be taken."
To another query about some voices within the party rooting for him to take over as the Karnataka Congress President, Jarkiholi said the party high command will take a call on it.
"There is no point in me making any claims....I have not demanded, nor will I do it. I have been given the responsibility as the Minister and I'm discharging it."
Currently the state Congress President post is held by Deputy CM D K Shivakumar for an extended tenure.
Responding to a question on the demand for a Dalit CM, Jarkiholi, a leader from the ST community said, "Many, including me have said that if an opportunity is given (to Dalit) it will be good. The party will ultimately decide who and from which community."
Asked whether there was a possibility for a Dalit to become CM in the Congress party, he replied, "it may happen in the days ahead. We will have to wait, immediately there is no such opportunity. We will have to create an opportunity."
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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.
