Cong high command's decision final on leadership change: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Mar 3 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday made it clear that he will go by the directives of the Congress high command, whose decision is final on leadership change in the state.
The CM was reacting to veteran Congress leader Veerappa Moily's statement regarding Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar taking over as the chief minister in the days ahead.
"I'm saying once again that the high command will decide. What Moily or someone else is not important, whatever the high command says is final," Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question on Moily's statement.
Asked about party leaders indulging in speculation on CM change in public, despite instructions from AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge against it, he said, "I will go by the high command's directions."
Moily on Sunday said that no one can prevent Shivakumar from becoming the CM of the state, as it is a "settled matter".
The former chief minister had also asserted that it is only a matter of time before Shivakumar assumes the CM's post, as it is something bound to happen.
There has been speculation in the state's political circles, especially in the ruling Congress party, about the chief minister change, later this year, under a "rotational chief minister" or "power-sharing" formula.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, is a strong chief ministerial aspirant and has made no secret of his ambition to become the CM.
Refusing to comment on Moily's statement about him becoming the chief minister of Karnataka in the days ahead, Shivakumar earlier on Monday called it his personal opinion.
Congress MLA Basavaraju V Shivaganga too on Sunday said that Shivakumar will become the chief minister by December.
These comments in favour of Shivakumar have come even as several ministers and leaders considered close to Siddaramaiah consistently ruling out any leadership change, and asserting that the incumbent CM will continue and complete a full five years term.
The remarks by Congressmen on the issue of leadership change are notwithstanding Mallikarjun Kharge's warning asking his party colleagues to 'shut up' and focus on governance.
Reacting to Moily's statements, Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna on Monday said Veerappa Moily is a senior leader and he has expressed his personal opinion, but ultimately the Congress high command will decide.
"I won't dispute his opinion. Similarly, a legislator has also expressed his opinion. All these are personal opinions, but ultimately it is the high command that decides," he said.
Similarly, there is a feeling and opinion among many that Siddaramaiah should complete full term, but ultimately the top brass will take a decision. "I can neither say that CM will be changed or CM will not be changed. Anything may happen as per the high command's wish," he said.
PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi said Moily and several others too have spoken on this issue of CM change, but ultimately AICC will decide.
"We may say things for our satisfaction, but it is not final. What the high command says is final," he said.
Industries Minister M B Patil said Moily is a former chief minister, former union minister and a Congress Working Committee member. AICC high command will look into his statement and discuss with him if required.
"It is left to Veerappa Moily and the top brass. They will talk to him," he said.
Taking a dig at the ruling party, BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said there are no doubts about fast-paced political developments in Karnataka in the days ahead, as the fight for the CM's chair in the Congress party is intensifying day-by-day, with legislators and ministers making statements openly in favour of and against -- both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
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 Chief Minister.
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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Nothing wrong in MLAs aspiring for ministerial position: K'taka HM Parameshwara
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Bengaluru (PTI): Amid a group of ruling Congress MLAs camping in Delhi with a cabinet rejig demand for their inclusion, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday said there was nothing wrong in legislators aspiring for ministerial positions.
He asserted that experienced MLAs were capable of handling such responsibilities.
His remarks came a day after senior and first-time MLAs stepped up lobbying efforts in the national capital with the party high command, seeking a cabinet reshuffle and greater representation.
"There is nothing wrong in them asking for it (ministerial position)," Parameshwara, a senior Congress leader, said
He added that the MLAs, some of who have been elected thrice, are capable to take up the ministerial positions.
He maintained that the final call on any cabinet reshuffle rests with the party high command.
"Our Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah), the high command, and our party (state) president (DK Shivakumar) decide about reshuffle. These three sit together and take a decision," he said.
The minister also indicated that the established procedure for cabinet formation was likely being followed.
"Earlier too, when I was the (state Congress) president, during cabinet formation, the Pradesh Congress Committee president, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader, and our in-charge general secretaries would take decisions that would then be presented before our AICC president, approval would be obtained, and then it would be announced," he said.
He added that even today the same procedure is followed.
Responding to questions on whether senior ministers would make way for newcomers, Parameshwara said they would abide by the party's decision.
"If the high command decides then we have to accept it. There is no question of not accepting it," he said.
Stressing on party discipline, he added, "Whether it is me, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, or Energy Minister K J George, we all are seniors. If they (high command) decide that we should be replaced and make changes, then there is no question of us opposing it."
Clarifying that discussions were limited to a possible cabinet reshuffle, he said decisions on leadership matters were entirely in the hands of the high command.
He said the discussions were limited only to the Cabinet rejig and not changing the party state president, a post being held by Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar for the past six years.
"Right now we are discussing cabinet reshuffle, not about the party president. All such matters are left to the high command," he said.
Recalling his own appointment as state Congress president in the past, Parameshwara said he had not lobbied for the post. "When I was made president, I did not lobby for it. Our leader Sonia Gandhi took the decision. It came as a surprise to me. I had not asked for it," he said.
On Sunday, several senior MLAs travelled to Delhi to press for a cabinet reshuffle, while first-time legislators renewed their demand for representation, seeking at least five berths in the Siddaramaiah-led ministry.
The push for a rejig comes amid internal rumblings within the ruling party and speculation over leadership issues, even as the high command is yet to take a final call.
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