Shivakumar plays down speculations about cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday played down speculations about the cabinet reshuffle in the state, calling it a "rumour" in the media.
Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, said the party high command will decide on it.
Speculations are rife about a change of guard and cabinet reshuffle 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 the "November revolution".
"No cabinet (reshuffle), nothing. It is all rumour in the media, listening to some people. The talks are in the media. Either me or the chief minister has to speak about it. When both of us have not spoken, what is there in it?" Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question.
He said, "Some people are in urgency (to become ministers). If their names come in the media, they will go door to door (of leaders). There is no chance for it. Everything will be decided by the high command."
According to party sources, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his camp are pushing for a reshuffle.
They said, any move by the chief minister to effect cabinet reshuffle, as the government is about to complete 2.5 years in office, will be seen as a message that he is at the helm and will continue to do so, which may come across as a setback for Shivakumar, who is waiting to lay claim to the chief minister's chair.
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, claiming power-sharing agreement involving Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
There has also been a demand for some time now, from a section of Congress MLAs, who are ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the cabinet by effecting a rejig. Some have even openly expressed their wish to become ministers.
Karnataka has a sanctioned strength of 34 ministers, including the CM.
Two berths in the cabinet are currently vacant -- following the resignation of B Nagendra as a minister following allegations against him in connection with embezzlement at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, and the recent sacking of K N Rajanna from the cabinet on the instructions from the party high command.
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National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
