CM change talks 'irrelevant', Siddaramaiah will complete 5 years: Cong leader
Koppal (PTI): Senior Congress MLA and Chief Minister's Economic Advisor Basavaraj Rayareddy on Sunday termed speculations about CM change as "irrelevant", and asserted that incumbent Siddaramaiah, who was elected to the post by a majority of Congress legislators, will complete five years term.
Reacting to voices from within the party that Deputy CM D K Shivakumar would be made the chief minister, Rayareddy said, anyone can aspire for the post, and pointed out that his own supporters want to see him as the CM, as he too has won equal number of elections as the former.
"It is irrelevant. Our party high command has said that one should not talk on the chief minister change issue, but still I want to say one thing -- chief minister was chosen by the party high command after gathering the opinion of legislators," Reddy said in response to a question on talks about CM change.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "There was voting, Siddaramaiah and others contested, and Siddaramaiah got more votes. We were not told that Siddaramaiah will have to leave the post in the middle of his tenure. We voted for him for five years. So I believe that he will be the CM for five years."
Further noting that the matter is left for the party to decide, the Yalburga MLA said, "Siddaramaiah has himself said this."
There has been speculation 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 incumbent Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
Congress MLA from Kunigal H D Ranganath and former Mandya MP L R Shivarame Gowda last week had renewed the debate about chief minister change by claiming that Shivakumar will become the next CM of the state. Gowda also said that it will happen in November.
On some voices demanding that D K Shivakumar should become the CM, Reddy said, some people have demanded that he become the chief minister.
"It won't happen, some people even say that I should become (the CM). Am I anything less? I have also been elected an equal number of times as Shivakumar. I have been an MLA since 1985. No one is less," he said.
Stating that any one can aspire to become CM, the former minister said, "Let him (Shivakumar) also become....any one can become. People take names of their leader for the CM post out of affection and admiration towards them. However, according to me Siddaramaiah will be chief minister for five years."
Rejecting any political revolution as being speculated in the party and political circles, he said, "There is peace, where is revolution? We are all peace loving people."
Siddaramaiah too last week had once again asserted that he will complete a full five years term, by stating that he has been CM for 2.5 years in his second term, and will remain in the post for the remaining 2.5 years.
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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
KMES Institutions shine in SSLC result, continue four-decade legacy of education in rural Karkala
Karkala: KMES Institutions of Education at Kukkundooru in Karkala taluk has recorded outstanding results in the 2025-26 SSLC and PUC examinations, continuing a four-decade educational journey that began with just 22 kindergarten students and no building of its own.
The institution secured a 100 per cent result in the SSLC examinations, with all 43 students passing the examination this year.
Muhammad Arman Shahid emerged as the school topper by scoring 619 marks out of 625, securing 99 per cent and also ranking sixth at the state level. He scored full marks in Kannada, Hindi, Mathematics and Social Science.
Krithika V. Nayak secured the second position in the school with 607 marks and 97.12 per cent, while Arhan stood third with 605 marks and 96.8 per cent.
Out of the 43 students, 21 passed with distinction, 19 secured first class, two students obtained second class and one student passed in third class. Fourteen students scored above 90 per cent.
The institution also performed strongly in the PUC examinations. The Science stream recorded a 100 per cent result, with all 44 students passing, while Commerce secured a 98 per cent pass percentage.
Twelve students scored full marks in different subjects, including Mathematics.
In Commerce, Deeksha Acharya topped the college with 588 marks, while Harshitha H. Kini secured the second position with 581 marks.
In Science, Naveen B. Nayak emerged as topper with 586 marks, followed closely by Sameeksha Moily and Aifa Nidha, who both secured 585 marks.
Speaking about the achievement, High School head teacher Shrimati Patkar said the institution has always focused on supporting academically weak students through affordable education and free special classes.
“Our ambition is to provide quality education even to students who struggle in studies. The fees are very low, and free coaching classes are conducted. I have worked here for 28 years and have always found the atmosphere supportive of education,” she said.
Primary School head teacher Lolita Zeena D’Silva appreciated the dedication of the teaching staff and said the school encourages students not only to achieve high marks but also to become role models.
PU College Principal Balakrishna Rao said the institution focuses on value-based education and overall personality development.
“The aim is to help students succeed not only academically but also in cultural activities, sports and leadership. We encourage qualities such as patience, tolerance and discipline,” he said.
Rao also credited the institution’s growth to the support of founders K.S. Mohammed Masood and K.S. Nissar Ahmed, along with President K.S. Imtiaz Ahmed.
Speaking on the occasion, Imtiaz Ahmed said the institution was built on the dream of making quality education accessible to financially backward families in rural areas.
He said the guidance and encouragement of his elder brothers, Mohammed Masood and Nissar Ahmed, along with the contribution of teachers, students and parents, helped transform the institution into a model educational centre.
The KMES Institutions trace their roots back to 1984, when they were founded by senior social activists Haji P.M. Khan, K.S. Nazeer Ahmed and Haji A.S. Rashid Haider.
The institution initially functioned from the Government Urdu School premises as it did not have a building of its own. Classes began with only 22 students in lower kindergarten and two teachers.
Later, under the leadership of K.S. Mohammed Masood and with continuous financial and moral support from non-resident businessman K.S. Nissar Ahmed, the institution gradually expanded.
In 1993, the school shifted to its own building and began conducting classes from LKG to Class 5.
As student admissions increased, Nissar Ahmed personally funded the construction of three additional classrooms to address infrastructure shortages.
The institution’s new school building was completed in 1997, while the PU College building was constructed in 2001.
From humble beginnings in a borrowed building to producing state-level rank holders and consistent academic results, the KMES Institutions have grown into one of the prominent educational centres in the Karkala region.
