Siddaramaiah will not give up CM post on his own, claims Kumaraswamy
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress in the state, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday claimed that Siddaramaiah will not give up the Chief Minister post on his own.
The JD(S) leader was responding to a question about whether Siddaramaiah will complete a full five-year term (2023-28) or give up the Chief Minister's post.
"He (Siddaramaiah) has said he will continue as CM if the high command says so, while his son (MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah) says that his father will be CM for a full five years. We have seen him (Siddaramaiah) when he was with us (JD(S)), we have experience with him. Many in Congress also have experience but cannot speak out," Kumaraswamy said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "In my opinion, there is no question of him (Siddaramaiah) giving up (CM post) on his own."
"He threatens the Congress high command and has ensured they cannot speak (against him)," the JD(S) second-in-command claimed.
Amid speculations about a leadership change, Siddaramaiah recently asserted that the Congress government will remain in power for two more years and that he is the CM of the state.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar when the Congress formed government in 2023.
Responding to a question about his party leaders and legislators repeatedly stating that Kumaraswamy will become the Chief Minister once again, the JD(S) leader said it is up to God's will and the will of the people.
"Is it in our hands? Did any astrologer or our party workers predict when I became chief minister twice in the past? Some party workers may shout such slogans wherever I go, out of their affection towards me...with God's grace, I became CM twice, but did I occupy that post with a clear majority. No. God wrote it in my fate, I became CM. If I have to become CM once again, it is God's will. Let's see what is the will of the people," he said.
Kumaraswamy has headed the coalition government with both the national parties despite JD(S) being a junior partner -- for 20 months with BJP from February 2006 and with Congress for 14 months after the May 2018 Assembly polls.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
