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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Ready to face no-confidence motion, says Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Hassan (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Congress government led by him was ready to face the no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition during the legislature session from December 8.
With Deputy CM D K Shivakumar by his side, he reiterated that they would both abide by the high command's decision on the leadership issue.
"Let them (opposition) bring in a no-confidence motion or adjournment motion or any other motion. We are ready to face it. Ours is an open book, transparent government. We are ready to face anything," Siddaramaiah said in response to a question.
However, BJP state President B Y Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, clarified that the party, along with the JD(S) has not discussed or decided anything so far regarding moving a no-confidence motion against the government.
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The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi, bordering Maharashtra, on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
Not wanting to react to a question on the leadership issue, the CM said the Congress high command is very strong.
"D K Shivakumar and I will be committed to whatever the high command decides," he said.
Earlier in the day in Bengaluru, Shivakumar accompanied AICC Mallikarjun Kharge till airport from Vidhana Soudha, after paying tributes to B R Ambedkar on his 69th death anniversary, which had led to some speculation about possible discussion between the two on the leadership issue.
The power tussle within the ruling party had intensified amid speculation about a change in chief minister in the state, after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20.
However, both the CM and Deputy CM had recently held breakfast meetings at each others residences, on the instructions of the high command, which is seen as a move to pause the leadership tussle between the two and to signal Siddaramaiah's continuation as the CM for the time being, especially ahead of the Belagavi legislature session.
