No timeframe set for Siddaramaiah's tenure as CM: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday said when Siddaramaiah was elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) after the 2023 Assembly polls to become the chief minister, no timeframe was specified for his tenure.
He, however, added that everyone in the party would abide by whatever the high command decides and urged the Congress leadership to put an end to the confusion surrounding the issue.
Speculation has been rife about a possible change in the chief minister's post when the Congress government reaches the halfway mark of its five-year term next month—a development referred to by some as the "November revolution".
Parameshwara was speaking to reporters after meeting State Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa at his residence. Both are prominent Dalit leaders in the ruling Congress party.
Amid speculation about the nature of their meeting, the two clarified that it had "nothing to do with politics" but was to discuss funds for a cooperative in Tumakuru led by Parameshwara.
"After our party secured a majority in the May 2023 Assembly polls and came to power, the CLP leader (Siddaramaiah) was elected in a meeting of all legislators. We were not told then that Siddaramaiah would be Chief Minister for only 2.5 years," Parameshwara said, responding to a question.
He said the high command, while announcing Siddaramaiah as CLP leader, had not fixed any time frame for his tenure.
"We are not aware of any developments since then. In our view, we chose Siddaramaiah to be the CM for five years. If the high command decides otherwise, we will accept it—that is all we can do. We had not fixed any time frame while choosing the CLP leader; if the high command decides anything else, it is up to them," he added.
Siddaramaiah, on Monday, had said he would continue in office for the full five-year term, subject to the Congress high command's decision.
There has been ongoing speculation within the state's political circles, particularly in the ruling Congress, about a possible power-sharing arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Noting that it was not right for everyone to make daily statements about leadership change, the minister said that all party members would abide by the high command's decision.
"Siddaramaiah has also said that he will remain CM for five years if the high command agrees. The high command must put an end to this confusion. They are aware of it. If needed, I too will request them to clarify," he added.
Responding to a question on the demand for a Dalit chief minister in the event of a leadership change, Parameshwara said, "Is it wrong to make such a demand? If it is wrong, let us respond to it. People express their opinions."
Replying to another question, he said many capable leaders in the Congress could become the CM, but it was up to the high command to decide depending on the situation.
"Many people in our party are capable. The Congress has produced several leaders for the country; some have even gone on to other parties and grown there, too. In a way, our party is a training school. So, there are many capable leaders. Whom to choose is left to the high command, if such a situation arises. As far as I know, such a situation does not exist now," he said.
Asked about Siddaramaiah's recent comment indicating he may contest the 2028 Assembly polls, Parameshwara said, "That is his (personal) decision. He said yesterday that some leaders are pressuring him to contest, and that he will decide later."
Speaking to a Kannada news channel, Siddaramaiah had said he was under pressure from "friends and well-wishers" to contest the 2028 election.
"I had earlier announced that I wouldn't contest in 2028. But my friends and well-wishers want me to. They say my candidature will help the party return to power. I haven't decided seriously about this yet," he said.
Later in the day, Mahadevappa also reiterated that it is the high command that must decide on cabinet reshuffles or the continuation of the CM.
"Has the chief minister said he will share power? He has said that if the high command decides, he will be CM for five years. There is nothing wrong with that. The high command decides what happens—the rest is speculation, and one cannot respond to speculation," he said.
Asked if Dalit leaders in the Congress would seek a chance for a Dalit CM if the situation arose, Mahadevappa said, "Such a situation doesn't exist now. If it arises, the high command will consult everyone, and we will share our views then."
He added that there are several Dalit leaders in the party with administrative experience, and the final decision would rest with the high command.
On Siddaramaiah not ruling out contesting the 2028 polls, Mahadevappa said, "There is no retirement in politics. Those in public life should work for the people till the end."
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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.
